Johanna Klassen

Johanna Klassen

April 29, 1919 – March 30, 2020

Klassen – Johanna (Friesen) Klassen, aged 100 years, passed away peacefully at Luther Special Care Home on Monday, March 30, 2020.  

Johanna was a home-maker and lived in six communities:  the farm near Carlton, where she was born on April 29, 1919, the farm near Waldheim, where she moved after her marriage to Jacob Klassen in 1949, the home on Grovesnor Crescent in Saskatoon where they moved in 1976, the senior’s community at Bethany, which they joined in 1996, first in a condo at Bethany Manor and subsequently in assisted living at Bethany Villa,  and finally Luther Special Care Home, where she moved in 2012 and lived until her passing.   We, as a family, are grateful for the caring Luther Care staff who created a wonderful end-of-life home for Johanna.

Johanna, together with her husband, filled her homes with unconditional love, compassion, and kindness.  She was a caregiver for much of her life, put others first, and treated all with respect.  Her gentle sense of humour and smiles brought delight to people around her, right up to a few days before her passing.  These characteristics were also shared in the broader sense of home in the church and in the communities in which she lived.  Throughout her life Johanna sang her favourite hymn to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  It was sung to her the day before she passed, and it is about the anticipation of her last heavenly home.  “Far away beyond the starlit skies, Where the love-light never, never dies, Gleameth a mansion, filled with delight, Sweet happy home so bright!”   

Johanna was dearly loved and will be missed by her children: Doreen (Albert Pankewich) of Regina, Norma (David Kaiser) of North Battleford, Carol (Stefan Fridriksson) of Welland, ON; grandchildren: Trevor (Corinne) Pankewich, Kerry (Rona) Pankewich, Johanna (Mike Maggrah) Klassen Kaiser, Joshua Klassen Kaiser, Elsa Klassen Fridriksson, Mekkin Klassen Fridriksson; great-grandchildren: Bella, Kyrena, Kingston and Irelann Pankewich, and Myles and Greta Kaiser Maggrah; brother Verner (Anne) Friesen, siblings-in-law Edith Friesen, Hertha Friesen, Lou Friesen, Verna Klassen, Ann Klassen, Benno Klassen, John & Norma Klassen, Margaret & Bernie Neufeldt; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was predeceased by her husband Jacob, daughter Arlene, infant children Eldon and Eleanor, parents Albert and Luise Friesen, infant sister Ella, brothers Albert, Helmut, Wilfred, Benno, Walter, and Erwin, as well as a number of in-laws. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Johanna to Mennonite Central Committee, SK, 600 45th St West, Saskatoon, S7L5W9 https://mcccanada.ca/ or to a charity of your choice that is involved in alleviating human suffering.  Due to the current circumstances, a Celebration of Life will be postponed until such time as deemed safe.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.