Obituary of Jack Klassen

A private family service may be viewed via livestream 15 minutes prior to the service on Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.

 The 6th of 7 children, Jack was pre-deceased by his Wife Margaret, parents Cornelius and Tina, brothers Abe, Henry and Peter sisters Tina and Mary. Jack is survived by brother Neil, daughters Twylla Verwymeren (Ron), Deneen Klassen, three Grandchildren, Kelly Jeske (Nathan) Brent Verwymeren (Melissa), Derek Verwymeren (Morgan), three great grandchildren, Paige Alice Verwymeren, Grady Nathan Jeske and Emily Cora Jeske.

The Klassen family grew up on a farm 7 miles from Horndean, Manitoba. Jack often told the story of how he and his siblings walked 1 1⁄4 miles to school, or when as a young boy how he had been run over by a horse and wasn’t expected to survive but God had bigger plans on his life. Jack drove tractor at six years old and worked on the family farm for many years.

In 1947 Jack completed his schooling at grade 8 and he continued to work on the farm for several years before later moving to Winnipeg. Jack's first job was at Canada Safeway – stocking shelves and cashiering. He then worked at a dry cleaners and laundry company, and as a driver for Reimer Express. He also managed to obtain his GED during this time.

The call of the Lord was always close to Jacks heart and in 1957 he answered that call by attending a 3-year program at Winnipeg Bible Institute during the day and supported himself by driving cab at night. One Sunday morning Jacks life changed forever; from a distance he spotted an angel singing in the church choir. After a short courtship, Jack and Margaret were married June 7, 1958. On July 5, 1959 they welcomed their first child Twylla and on February 17, 1964 they were overjoyed to be blessed with a second daughter Deneen to complete the family. He always talked so highly of his family – next to his relationship with God his three ladies were a very close second.

 In 1967 Jack became a licensed electrician and his first jobs were at Delta Electric and Kildonan Electric. He then began a long 25-year career with Manitoba Pool Elevators until the Lord called him to full time ministry.

The next 25 years of Jacks life was in ministry for The Canadian Sunday School Mission (now known as One Hope Ministries): he traveled throughout Manitoba as the public relations director but much of his time in the summer involved working with the Manitoba Camping ministry, using his trade as an electrician when needed but never missing an opportunity to speak in churches and counsel families. Jack would drive for hours in a Manitoba blizzard for the opportunity to share the word of God from a pulpit or a kitchen table.

At age 65 as most look forward to retiring, Jack sought out the Lord as to where he could continue to serve. Shortly there after he joined Gospel for Asia. He continued to share the gospel throughout southern Manitoba while raising support for missions in India on behalf of GFA. Jack and Margaret also travelled a few times to India where he ministered in the 10/40 window by sourcing the supply of blankets, bibles and literature, missionary support and friendship to many. He truly had a heart for the people of India.

Jack and Margaret spent their entire married life in St. Vital. First on Parkville Drive where they raised their family and once the girls moved on and upkeep became harder, they moved to Brantwood estates; a condo which gave them the freedom to travel the country. A few moves later and after Margaret peacefully ascended on February 16, 2018, Jack made his final move to River Park Gardens Nursing Residence where he was blessed with loving staff and superior accommodations, until his ascension into heaven on April 13, 2020.

Jack was always busy doing the Lords' work whether as an electrician, preaching from the pulpit, or to talking to a stranger on a park bench. He shared his faith in the nursing home until he was unable to read or speak anymore ... then he asked the nursing staff to read the bible to him. His close friend from GFA, Harv Martens, would often fly into Winnipeg and visit Jack. One time he commented that every fibre of Jack's being was to love, praise and serve his heavenly father.

 If one knew anything about Jack, its that he was a prayer warrior. He daily brought his family to the Lord. First the three girls and then when Twylla married, I was privileged to be included. When the grandkids were born, his prayers continued, they just included tears of joy every now and then. As Kelly, Brent and Derek married, their spouses were now included under Jacks umbrella of prayer. Then came the great grandchildren, the icing on the icing. Jack was so proud when he got to hold Paige, Grady and Emily and as tears of joy ran down his cheek, he would proclaim how good God is and how blessed he was.

His permanent residence is now in Heaven with Margaret and his Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

Respectfully, His family

A private family service  will be held on Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. 

Interment will take place at the Blumenort Cemetery at a later date.