Martha E. Claassen

Martha (Buhler) Claassen was born February 20, 1926 to Aron and Mary Buhler in Mt. Lake, MN. She was the oldest of 6 children. She accepted Christ at an early age and felt a call to missions as a teenager. She graduated from Wheaton College in 1950 and earned her teaching degree. She then went to teach at Berean Bible Academy in Elbing, KS. While in Kansas she met the dashing Melvin Claassen who was farming in Whitewater, KS. They were married August 14, 1952 in Mt. Lake, MN. In 1958 they left for language school in Belgium and then headed to Congo (Zaire) where they spent 16 years as missionaries. One of Mom's favorite memories of their time there was working with the women, teaching sewing and Bible classes. In 1974 they returned to Mt. Lake and were active in the EMB (Cornerstone Bible) church as well as serving other churches in the area. They also spent time in Omaha at Grace College of the Bible as well as 13 years pastoring Woodland Hills Community Bible Church in Crescent, IA before returning to Mt. Lake again in 2007. Throughout her life, Mom enjoyed leading and taking part in Bible studies with different groups of ladies. She had a real passion for God's word. She also enjoyed music very much. Over the years she played piano, marimba and cow bells. She enjoyed playing piano at chapel services at the Good Samaritan Village. One of her favorite things was when the family was home and would sing together around the piano as she played. Mom was an incredible prayer warrior and prayed daily for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as her extended family, even up to her last days. As children, we all have different memories of asking her to pray for specific needs and seeing how God answered her prayers. Mom and her twin sister Mary were separated for most of their adult life as each was called to ministry in different locations. After Dad passed away, Mary and Ventura moved back to Mt. Lake to be near Mom. That was such a blessing to Mom and we are so grateful for the time they had together and the incredible support Mary was to Mom. She is survived by her twin sister Mary Saenz of Mt. Lake; her brother Paul (Alis) Buhler of Denmark; daughter Vangie Claassen of Indonesia; son Steve (Kathy) Claassen of Denver, CO, granddaughter Larissa (Michael) Haub, grandson Evan (Kristin) Claassen, grandson Brandon Claassen; son James (Caryn) Claassen of Sioux Falls, SD; grandson Aron (Rachael) Claassen, granddaughter Brianna Claassen, grandson Collin Claassen; daughter Ruth Claassen of Colorado Springs, CO as well as 12 great-grandchildren whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Melvin, parents Aron and Mary Buhler, sisters Lillian (Klaassen), Eleanor (Gardner), Agnes (Tharp). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Martha's memory to either of the following: Cornerstone Bible Church PO Box 605 Mountain Lake, MN 56159 Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) https://give.maf.org/donate/tribute Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, November 12, 2021 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, November 13, 2021 Cornerstone Bible Church 1019 Prince Street Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Recption To follow the service at the church.