Louis Klassen

Louis Klassen was born September 28, 1920 in Mountain Lake, MN to Abram and Elizabeth (Janzen) Klassen. He received his education in District 12, the country school south of Mountain Lake. After completing the 8th grade, he attended the Bible School in Mountain Lake for one winter. As a teenager, he was baptized and joined the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church. He married Rosa Redekop on September 15, 1943. In 1945, a son, Delbert, was born to this union. Shortly after his birth, Rosa passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 1945. Louis accepted Christ as his Savior and committed his life to the Lord after losing his wife. Louis married Sophie Olfert on June 20, 1947 in Dallas, Oregon. They made their home south of Mountain Lake where they operated a grain and dairy farm. Six more sons and one daughter were born to them in the years that followed. Louis and Sophie were privileged to enjoy 63 years of marriage together. In their early years of marriage, Louis enjoyed raising chickens. He also spearheaded a large tiling project in the neighboring area. His interests included making and fixing things, remodeling the home, and reading farm magazines. Keeping current with farming methods and keeping farm equipment in good repair was always important to him. He kept his family involved with the farming and taught strong work ethics. He was active in the church and liked to help out where needed, including serving as a trustee. Church was very important and he enjoyed the fellowship there. His prayer was that his children would "walk in the ways of the Lord". Louis stayed active and involved until September of 2007 when his health required a stay at the Good Samaritan Village. He was able to return home for a year and a half until his health again required him to return to the Village. He enjoyed having his family visit, especially the grandchildren. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 1, 2011. Survivors include his wife Sophie Klassen of Mountain Lake, MN; eight children: Delbert (Nancy) Klassen of Bingham Lake, MN, Norman (Vonnie) Klassen of Bingham Lake, MN, Wendell (Gloria) Klassen of Mountain Lake, MN, Janice (Allen) Schroeder of Mountain Lake, MN, Melroy (Jodi) Klassen of Bailey, Colorado, Stanley (Darlene) Klassen of Windom, MN, Wayne (Annette) Klassen of Mountain Lake, MN, Bradley (Danelle) Klassen of Worthington, MN; 29 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, three brothers: Harold (Ann) Klassen of Mountain Lake, MN, Donald (Lenora) Klassen of Hillsboro, KS, Loyal (Bertha) Klassen of Mountain Lake, MN, and a sister-in-law, Adeline Klassen of Mountain Lake, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents Abram and Elizabeth Klassen, his first wife Rosa, grandson Lawrence, brother Frank, and infant brother Albert.