Lena Klassen

Lena was born  in Slavgrad, Russia. The family left Russia on October 18, 1926 for Canada. Her father died in Rega  enroute in December, 1926. The family arrived in Rosthern , Saskatchewan on August 27, 1927 and Lena joined the family in Didsbury that November.

Lena was baptized in the Bergthal Mennonite Church on April 13, 1941 where she was very active all her adult life.

During the cold, stormy winter of 1943 she married Dietrich Klassen on January 28. Their home was blessed with four daughters and one son. They farmed together on the Klassen homestead until 1977.  Ralph took over the family farm, and Dietrich and Lena semi retired to an acreage they established on the site of the former New Bergthal School. Here they enjoyed gardening a more relaxed lifestyle until Dietrich’s death, October 1990.

Lena enjoyed small town living following a move to a condo in College Green in Didsbury in 1993. Her home there was a frequent coffee gathering place for friends and family. Her small back patio were her pride and enjoyment.

In 2006 due to more limited mobility Lena moved to Aspen Lodge where her last years were enriched by new friends and wonderful caregivers. She died December 15, 2011.

Lena is survived by her immediate family

     brother: Jake (Hella) Harder

     Sisters-in-law: Mary Harder and Betty Reimer

 Many nieces and nephews

Lena was predeceased by: her parents David & Helena Harder

her husband Dietrich (1990)

her son Ralph (1988)

her brothers: Cornie (Mary) Harder, Dave Harder, Diedrich Reimer,

Abe Reimer

her sisters: Tina(Henry) Sawatzky, Molly Reimer

A Funeral Service will be held at Bergthal Mennonite Church, 7 kms East on Bergthal Road, Didsbury on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 1:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lena’s memory to Mennonite Central Committee, 210, 2946 – 32 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6J7. 

Messages of condolence may be left for the family.