Funeral For: David Klassen
David Klassen, 79 of Edmonton formerly of the R-M of Rhineland, passed away Thursday, July 25th at Edmonton. He is survived by his wife Helen, 2 daughters, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Elisabeth Klassen, and siblings.
Cremation has taken place.
A memorial service for David Klassen will be held Saturday, August 17th at 2pm at Altona EMMC. Ash Interment will be held September 7th at Tawatinaw Valley Cemetery, Alberta.
Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Service, Edmonton.
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of David Klassen on July 25, 2024 at the age of 79, formally of Blumenort Manitoba, Westlock and Edmonton Alberta. His memory will be forever cherished by wife Helen, daughters Wendy (Rolly) and Angela, along with his grandchildren, Rachel, Andrea and Brett.
David was born at home in RM of Rhineland, Manitoba on November 4, 1945 to Elisabeth (Froese) and Peter Klassen. David grew up with his brothers Daniel, Martin, Peter, John, Edward, Henry, Erdman and one sister Elizabeth. David’s mother died when he was 5 years old and father when he was 16, he grew up on the farm with the help of his sister and brothers.
David attended school until grade 8 at Blumenort East of Gretna, Manitoba and went to work on the farm full time with odd part time jobs.
He met the love of his life Helen Enns, who he nicknamed “Jeannie”. They married on June 2, 1967 at Bethel Bergthaler Mennonite Church in Hochfeld, Manitoba. Living on the family farm in Blumenort, Manitoba they were happy to have the arrival of Wendy Elizabeth and Angela Rose.
David and Jeannie moved to Winnipeg in 1973 where he attended University and worked full time. Soon after they moved to Wetaskiwin, Alberta in 1977, where David started his passion for running agricultural dealerships. In 1982, they opened there first dealership, Klassen’s Farm Equipment, in Westlock, Alberta. David loved the farm but excelled at being a great salesman and business owner. They retired from Westlock in 1990.
Love for traveling and mission work, lead to Habitat for Humanity from 1990-1995 to build homes for the homeless in Mexico.
David and Jeannie found another business opportunity and purchased their campground Traveler’s RV Resort in 1995 and then finally retired in 2015. Winters were spent in their treasured San Diego, US community enjoying the warm weather and sightseeing. In 2003 they purchased a home in Edmonton to spend more time with their daughters and grandchildren.
In 2016 David found time to finally dive into his love of genealogy and piece together all the connections and threads of our families. His work was vast and will be a forever memory of the families he treasured. David received an honorable mention from Grandma’s Keeper of Sacramento California for his genealogy work.
David’s hobby was sports, armchair style, with a love of baseball, curling and Canadian football. In later years he enjoyed visiting with the farmers on his weekly road trips in central and northern Alberta. As they say you can take the boy off the farm, but you can never take the dealership out of the true businessman.
David is survived by Jeannie, Wendy (Rolly) Batog, Angela Klassen, grandchildren Rachel, Andrea and Brett.
Service information for all to gather:
August 17th in Altona, Manitoba at 2 pm
at the Altona Evangelical
Mennonite Mission Church with light lunch to follow
August 25th at Edmonton First Mennonite Church,
worship at 10:45,
David’s Memorial will follow at noon
with a light refreshment.
September 7th, Interment at Tawatinaw Valley
Cemetery at 2:30 with light refreshments
Correspondence may be sent to:
P.O. Box 5163, Westlock, AB T7P 2P4