ANNIE KLASSEN

Posted: June 25th, 2014

January 25, 1928  ~  June 22, 2014

Annie Klassen of Medicine Hat moved peacefully to heaven on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at the age of 86 years.  Mom was born in Glenwood, AB., on January 25, 1928.  After losing her mother at a young age, she struggled through her childhood years and was forced to leave home at age 15 years.  Mom took on several manual labor jobs such as cleaning houses, working on a sugar beet farm as well as harvesting hops.  Following that, she chose to go to Bible School at Herbert, SK., where she met her lifelong partner, David Klassen and they were married on November 5, 1948, making Kelstern, SK., their first home.  Dad and Mom celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last fall.  Mom enjoyed working with her hands and produced countless articles of handiwork such as quilts, tablecloths, greeting cards, ceramics, Barbie and doll clothes and so much more.  She enjoyed selling her homemade goods at craft sales and in fact was in the middle of several projects when she fell ill.  When her children were young, she made all their clothing.  Mom was a master at whatever craft or sewing project she chose to do.  Another one of her passions was going to garage sales.  Along with Dad, she also enjoyed hosting their own garage sales both in Swift Current and Medicine Hat, holding many of them over the years.  Mom was also a good cook and homemaker.  In her younger years, she also enjoyed gardening.  Using her gift of hospitality, Mom loved hosting missionaries and Bible School students in her home.  She also encouraged all her children to be exposed to music and piano lessons which inspired countless hours of singing around the piano.  Mom liked to laugh and reminisce and enjoyed the ‘pestering’ from her sons-in-law.  Often, she was quick witted and liked to joke with them as well as play practical jokes on them.  It was when she had that twinkle in her eye, we knew she was up to something.  She was passionate about home decorating and always tried to keep up with the times.  Dad and Mom’s home was frequently freshened up with a coat of new paint or got some new wallpaper hung to match the latest set of furniture in the front room.  She was also an immaculate housekeeper, very organized and liked having everything in its place.  Mom will be lovingly remembered by her caring and faithful husband, David;  children, Marjorie (Emory) Ediger of Waterloo, ON., Lorna (Ron) Silvester of Moose Jaw, SK., Cheryl Dueck of Medicine Hat and Rick (Arlynn) Klassen of Vanderhoof, BC.;  grandchildren, Kevin Ediger, Kerri and Chris Stoermer, Wanda and Dave Smith, Marcy Ramage, Jamie and Chris Terrio, Jim Dueck and Corinne Yates, Jeremy Dueck, Heidi Knudson and step-grandson, Sterling Parker;  great-grandchildren, Joshua and Makayla Stoermer;  stepgreat- granddaughter, Teala Stoermer;  Katelyn and Keely Smith, Wyatt and Houston Ramage, Nathan Terrio, Brooklyn Yates and step-great- granddaughter, Aleaha Yates, Gracie Houghtaling.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Martha Redekopp, Martha Klassen and Caroline Klassen as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Mom was predeceased by her son, Jimey, at the age of 16.  Those wishing to pay their respects may do so in the Droxford Baptist Church (10 miles south of Uren) on Thursday, June 26, 2014, between Noon and 12:50 P.M.  A Graveside Celebration of Annie’s life will commence at the Droxford Cemetery (immediately next to the Droxford Baptist Church) at 1:00 p.m.  A time of fellowship will immediately follow at the Chaplin Community Complex, Chaplin, SK.  In addition to these services,  a come and go tea in celebration of Annie’s life will be held in the Harvest Dining Room at The Wellington, 1595 Southview Drive S.E., Medicine Hat on Friday, June 27, 2014, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The come and go celebration will begin with a short program at 1:30 p.m.  (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com)  Honoured to serve the family is COOK SOUTHLAND Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4.  Telephone:  403-527-6455.

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