Frances Klassen
(August 25, 1936 to September 1, 2010)

Frances Nellie (Sawatzky) Klassen was born August 25. 1936 in Armstrong, BC as the oldest child to Frank and Margaret Sawatzky. Sister Anita was born two years later, and in 1940 the young family moved back to Drake, Sask. In the following years, three more children joined the family: Don, Velma, and Ron.

Childhood years for Frances included helping on the family farm, playing with siblings and cousins, as well as regular attendance at the North Star Mennonite Church. Life on the farm provided a training ground where she learned the value of hard work and commitment. Playtime occurred only when chores were completed properly. Her penchant for order and neatness were learned from her mother at an early age. One example of this teaching was when she and her sister had to cut out paper dolls in the spare granary where the mess could be contained. Frances was both a friend and role model to her younger siblings with whom she spent lots of time.

In 1952 the family moved to Saskatoon and later that year Frances enrolled at Rosthern Bible School. Church life and faith in God were always a part of her life. On May 24, 1953 she was baptized upon her confession of Christian faith in the First Mennonite Church in Saskatoon.

While at Bible School Frances met Benno A Klassen, a young farmer from Laird, Sask, whom she married on October 30, 1954. Married life for the young couple began on a farm three miles north and a half mile west of Laird. Frances often mentioned how hard she and Benno worked in those early years but commitment to each other and family, and an undying faith in God, saw them through. It was this love and devotion to each other and their family that defined their marriage for nearly 56 years.

Frances was a city girl with a great taste in fashion which stayed with her throughout her life. Even though she was a city girl, she was also a practical woman who could drive any vehicle on the farm. No matter how busy things were at home, she always managed to keep the family fed, the laundry done and the house clean. Her artistic talents were evident in the clothes she sewed, the many porcelain dolls she made, her scrapbooks, and stamped cards.

She took pride in making things beautiful and found much joy in giving them to other people. Her children can attest to her love of gardening. All of them helped plant potatoes, shell peas, husk corn, and dig carrots.

Her pantry and freezer always seemed to be full of her garden produce. She was a fabulous cook and loved to host friends and family. You never left her table hungry, and you were always welcome in her home.

Frances is predeceased by her parents Frank and Margaret Sawatzky. She is survived by her loving husband Benno Klassen; six children Reg (Karyn) Klassen; Laurel (Sandra) Klassen, Debbie (Chuck) Scroggs; Doug (Sherry) Klassen; Darren (Monika) Pries-Klassen; Kimberly (Randy) K Sawatzky; 15 grandchildren Luke, Brock & Kylie Klassen; Sawyer & Danielle Klassen; Nikia (Samuel) Schiffner, Denton & Keaton Kleiner; Damon, Troy & Reece Klassen; Michaela & Anneke Pries-Klassen; Tyrel & Matthew Sawatzky; one great grandchild Isaiah Schiffner; four step grandchildren Dawn (Jason) Epp; Chuck (Skye) Scroggs; Ben (Katie) Scroggs; Johnathan Scroggs; eight step great grandchildren Abby McGuire; John & Jacob Epp; Charity, Tucker, Jadon, Ethan & Kaydon Scroggs; and four siblings Anita (Willie) Falk; Don (Dawn) Sawatzky; Velma (Herb) McChesney: Ron (Pat) Sawatzky.