Jacob A. Klassen
(1918 – 2008)

Jacob A. Klassen's mother, Anganetha, died while he was an infant (only seven days old) and he was left in the care of his father, Abraham Klassen. His father subsequently married Anganetha's sister, Helena, and an additional six siblings were born into the family home.

Jake's formal education began at Hamburg School where he majored in arithmetic, drawing and mischievous pranks. As a young man Jake attended Rosthern Bible School. Throughout his childhood and young adulthood he attended Tiefengrund Rosenort Mennonite Church, where he was baptized and where he met his future wife, Johanna Friesen. Because of his beliefs in pacifism, he spent much of WWII in CO (conscientious objectors) camps in Northern Saskatchewan. Following the war, Jake bough his grandparents' farm near Waldheim and married the love of his life, Johanna. Together they managed the mixed farm and raised four daughters.

In the seventies, Jake undertook two career changes. Working as an orderly at Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home confirmed for him his passion for working with people, and he began his studies for chaplaincy work. In 1974 Jake and Johanna moved to Saskatoon where Jake was ordained as a minister. he worked as a hospital chaplain for the General Conference of Mennonites in Saskatchewan for many years, loving his work so much that he continued to do it well into retirement. This volunteer work was a small fraction of the countless hours he spent throughout his life in service to his church and community. Whether it was in leadership, the day-to-day work of organizations, or in his spontaneous interactions with individuals, the action of service to other people was so internally woven into the fabric of his life that he never separated what was volunteer work and what was not. Jake also spent many happy hours in retirement gardening, bowling, reading and particularly playing with grandchildren.

In 1996 Jake and Johanna moved to Bethany, first to the Manor and then to the Villa. Because of Jake's Alzheimer's, he needed special care in his last years, living first at M&M Care Home and then at Spruce Manor in Dalmeny. His last week at RUH was a precious time surrounded by family and friends. during this time we were able to do little for him but tried to bring him comfort through music, which had always been an important and joyful part of his life. Jake died peacefully in his sleep on July 4th, 2008.

Jake had a tremendous influence on us. He provided his children and grandchildren with a fine example and we were truly fortunate to have him in our lives. Some of his values included a deep faith in God, being generous with both time and money for those in need, and an unconditional acceptance for all, regardless of circumstances. His sense of humour, compassion, gentle ways and wisdom will be missed by all of us. Even in the confusion of Alzheimer's he was occasionally able to impart words of remarkable insight and wisdom. Jake had the ability to develop friendships with a wide range of people, at times testing the patience of family members waiting for him in a store, restaurant, or doctor's office while he made a new friend. Dad had human failings like the rest of us, but what had more impact for us was his ability to admit when he had been wrong.

Jake did not seek recognition in his life, and we will never know of many of the generous contributions he made throughout his life with both his money and time. But we often see glimpses of tremendous impact he has had on individuals' lives through:

• an appreciative letter form a prison inmate
• a young neighbourhood boy calling on his best buddy, Jake, to come and play
• shared stories of his sense of humour, like that from his haircutter from whom he requested a "curly hairdo" (especially funny because he was bald)
• an appreciative note form an immigrant family
• the paper cut-out animals he made for the many children who entered his life
• cards and words of appreciation from those he visited in his many years of service

During most of Jake's final days in hospital, he could not speak, but there were days when he communicated clearly with facial expressions. Occasionally he said a word or two. Just days before he died, he whispered, "Go home," and we understood this to be his expression of desire to go to is eternal home. The disease of Alzheimer's took its toll. We feel both sorrow for our loss and joy that he is "home" and free of suffering.

Our family very much appreciated the care he received in his last years, the support and prayers we have received from the many relatives and friends, and the extraordinary compassion we felt from staff at RUH during Dad's final days. We appreciate so much that you have come to share in the celebration of his life with us.