1929 – 2004
Jacob
B. Klassen of Crocus Place, Winkler, MB formerly of Plum Coulee, MB passed
away suddenly at his home in the afternoon of Tuesday, August 17, 2004. He
leaves to mourn Anne, his wife of fifty-one years and six children, daughter
Carol Ann Braun, son David, daughter Shirley Neufeld, son Andrew, daughter
Evelyn Elias and daughter Joyce Waldner. He will
also be missed by eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Jake
was born in the Weidenfeld District near
Rosenfeld on April 4, 1929 to John and Maria Klassen. He was the second
child in a family of thirteen children. He was predeceased by his parents,
sister Annie, brother David and three
brothers-in-law. He is survived by five sisters Marie Peers, Betty Bergman,
Helen Hiebert, Tina Enns, and Margaret Martens and by five brothers Abe,
John, Diedrich, Ben and George.
Though Jake only completed Grade Eight, he
believed learning was a lifelong process. He took courses to improve his
skills in the plumbing and heating trade. He took flying lessons though he
could not complete them because of the demands of running two businesses of
Town and Country Plumbing and Heating as well as the Foothills Greenhouses.
Now in his seventies he learned the workings of the computer with the help
of his son-in-law Jim. He repaired many computers for the MCC store in
Winkler.
Jake started with working at plumbing and heating, later owning Town and
Country with his brother Dave. He also started up the Foothills Greenhouse
in Morden moving it to Winkler when it began flourishing.
Jake and Anne were involved with MCC in Louisiana for two years, then with
MCC Family Services in Winkler for two years and finally managing the
Winkler MCC store for two years.
Jake and Anne moved to Plum Coulee where he built a woodworking shop that he
used to do work for Trainex. During this time
they also traveled extensively including a tour to Mexico for three weeks.
The last few years Jake and Anne retired to Crocus Place in Winkler where Jake became involved on the board of Crocus, as well as the Senior Centre Board and the MCC board.
This past summer Jake took great pride in working with the Horticulture Society providing advice and volunteer labor. The bright pink petunia Winkler sign as you enter Winkler was his patch.
Funeral service was held on Saturday, August 21, 2004 at 2:00 pm at the Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with Rev. Abe Wiebe officiating. Interment followed at Winkler Cemetery.
Jake’s friendly smile and zest for life will be missed by his family as well by the many friends he made over the years.
The
family appreciates the support of many friends and family at the time of
loss.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler, in care of
arrangements.