Paul Klassen died Jan. 1, 2012. He was born Dec. 6, 1924 in Rush Lake, Sask. to John K. Klassen and Maria Hiebert. When Paul was 8, his father died, and 5 years later, his mother married John Gunther, increasing the family from 10 to 19 children. After elementary school, Paul helped on the farm. He attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School. Sept. 29, 1946, Paul married Mary Gunther. Before their marriage, she led him to the Lord, and the next summer, he was baptized. Paul and Mary lived in Saskatoon and Hepburn, Sask. In addition to dairy farming, he did millwork and was a telephone linesman afterhours. In 1997, the Klassens moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where they became members of Clearbrook MB Church. Paul enjoyed crafting crokinole boards, cradles, rocking horses, blocks, and coffee tables, and donated 600 picture frames made from recycled wooden pallets to MCC. He had a strong memory and work ethic. Paul and Mary gave their investment interest to a project in Kenya. Predeceased by Mary Sept. 13, 2011, daughter-in-law Sharon, 5 siblings; Paul is mourned by children Carol (Burt) Thiessen, Vernon (Andrea), Harvey (Lisa), Marlene (Dana) Braun, Earl; grandchildren;great-grandchildren.
