George Daniel Klassen

Obituary

George Daniel Klassen, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.

He was born on August 25th, 1948, to Mary (Peters) and Gerhard Klassen and spent his early years in Blumenort South, MB. His father died when he was 1 1/2, and his mother subsequently married John S Friesen. George grew up in the blended family of 11 children. The family eventually moved to a farm outside of Steinbach, and George grew up doing chores on the small dairy farm, enjoying the outdoors, and reading everything he could. In May 1967, he was baptized at the Steinbach Mennonite Church.

He went on to attend U of M and graduated with a BSC, after which he taught sciences and math in Nigeria with Mennonite Central Committee for 3 years. While he was there, he decided to go into engineering when he returned to Canada, and that was a very appropriate choice for him. He was gifted in the areas of design, solving technical problems, and working with his hands.

In 1975, he married Charlotte (Sheri), and they lived in Alberta until 1977 when they went to Bangladesh with MCC. While there, he designed and developed an irrigation hand pump called the Rower Pump, with the help of Alois Mueller and the Mirpur Ag Workshop and Training Centre. This work was a highlight of his career. Also during this time, their first child, Chad, was born, and passed away after 5 days.

When they returned to Canada, George began working for Manitoba Agriculture, and it was during these next 4 years that their 2 daughters, Rachel and Kristen, were born. George, Sheri, and their daughters returned to Bangladesh in 1984 for 2 years to work with marketing the Rower pump.

When they returned to Canada again, George returned to his job with Manitoba Agriculture in Winnipeg, and in 1991, when the Soils and Crops Branch was moved to Carman, the family moved to an acreage just outside of town. George was a hard worker, but he could also enjoy sitting under the trees listening to the birdsong, with a cat on his lap, and the dog as his feet. After his retirement, he applied his engineering skills to working with upcycled glass, and especially enjoyed designing and creating new art pieces.

While living in Carman, he enjoyed working as secretary-treasurer for Canadian Foodgrains Bank Growing projects for more than 10 years, and working with a community group on the Refugee Support Committee. He also enjoyed pitching on a slow pitch team in the +55 league.

In 2018 George and Sheri moved to Steinbach, and George had more time to follow some of his other interests, such as climate change. He also joined the team of millers at the Mennonite Heritage Village, and enjoyed singing in church groups, and Vespers. George had a strong faith, and lived out that faith in his work and relationships.

George greatly enjoyed the time he spent with his family. He leaves to mourn him his wife Sheri, his daughters Rachel Allard, with grandchildren Emélie and Zac, and Kristen (Joshua) Andersen with grandchildren Kara, Nathanael, Maren, and Hannah; his siblings and spouses Marian Friesen, Martha and Cornel Rempel, Jay Friesen, Menno Friesen, Eric and Joyce Peters, Frank and Bev Klassen, Dan and Lynn Friesen, Grace and Dave Loewen, Ted Friesen, and their families.

He was predeceased by his infant son Chad, his father, Gerhard Klassen, his mother and father Mary and John S. Friesen, his parents-in-law John and Mary Klassen, and sisters Rose Peters and Linda Kroeker with husband Henry Kroeker, brother John R. Friesen, sisters-in-law Noelle Friesen and Kate Friesen, as well as niece Leanne Peters and nephew Thom Friesen.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the medical staff at Bethesda Regional Hospital, Cancer Care Manitoba, and the Palliative program, for their excellent care for George along this journey with cancer. Also appreciated are all who supported us through prayer and kindnesses shown.

For those who might wish to do so, donations in memory of George may be made to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

The celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.