Obituary of Martha Klassen

Martha Klassen, age 88, of Steinbach, MB, passed away Friday, February 10, 2023, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

Mom came from humble beginnings. She would tell us that they had dirt floors in the house she grew up in. There was always something for her to do as a kid,  like playing ball, running in the fields, sledding in the winter, baking and making lard sandwiches for school. 

Mom grew up in Carrot River, Saskatchewan. She had three sisters, Susie, Mary and Linda, and one brother, Henry. She met our dad as a teenager and married him in 1950. Shortly after that they moved to Steinbach. In 1955, their son, Randy Brian was born. Then came Connie in 1958, and Michael James in 1961. They moved to Killarney from Steinbach in 1964, and in 1965 they had Karen Joan. 

It was in Killarney where we all settled in. Mom couldn’t work outside the home, so she started selling Tupperware. She had parties all over the place and I got to go with her often. She also volunteered at the rink in the kitchen. We were all involved in ice sports. She also loved making crafts of all kinds. We had a lot by the lake, and we would often go out there for BBQ picnics which included mom’s salads and homemade buns. After school, our friends would often come over for warm fresh buns with butter and jam. 

A few years before we moved again our oldest brother, Randy, died in a car accident when he was 15. He was buried on his 16^th birthday; mom was so grieved by this. A sadness that no mother should have to experience. 

We moved to Ashern, MB, in 1974 and settled into our new environment. We moved to Peter’s Lodge on the lake until Mom and Dad could build our house. Who would have thought that eventually they would buy Peter’s Lodge in 1988, and they would re-name it Oak Bay Lodge. Mom got her first full time job at the Ashern hospital as a dietary aide. She worked there for 16 years. Mom had many friends and meeting them for coffee was a regular thing. 

After dad had a heart attack and his health declined, mom and dad moved back to Steinbach in 2008. Dad was in the hospital first and then moved to a personal care home. Mom got her first apartment then. Dad died in August 2011 after 61 years of marriage. Again, it was more change for her, but she was gaining real independence for the first time. 

Mom went to Watrous hot springs on her first bus tour. While in Steinbach, she wanted to keep herself busy. For several years she made hot lunches for the Imperial Metal staff. Mom made friends very easily and eventually moved into Fernwood where there were more people and she kept on making friends. Mom loved puzzling and had her own puzzling group. Mom also loved potlucks and helped organize them on her floor. It was great food and fellowship for everyone. 

Mom loved attending church at Steinbach Mennonite Brethren and felt huge conviction to be baptized, and she wanted to be immersed. So she signed up and on May 5, 2019, she was baptized, full immersion. She was so excited that she had been obedient to God’s word. 

She loved life and always made sure people knew that. She would leave a positive influence and encouraged everyone she met. She gave up her drivers license and bought a scooter to get around on. We would often go scooting downtown together for groceries, go to the farmers market or the bakery. We would trailer our scooters all over the place like Bird’s hill park, Gimli and even Kenora. As well we would go out for coffee and lunches. 

Eventually, her health began to decline, and she was retaining a lot of water. She was eventually admitted to the Ste. Anne hospital to get the swelling down. The doctors told us she would not be able to go home because her body was beginning to shut down. It was agreed that she would go into the Silver Lining Cottages where she could receive 24/7 care. She spent one night there and then had to be taken back to the Steinbach Bethesda Regional Health Centre where she passed away the next day at 3:20 a.m. 

Mom is survived by three children: Connie (Roger) Wiebe, Michael (Donna-Lynn) Klassen and Karen (Kelly) Friesen; five grandchildren: Kyle (Candace), Ce’Lynn (Scott), Josh (Shayna), Colin (Jasmine), and Makenzy; five great-grandchildren, Anika, Ryder, Cruz, Sage and Wren; as well as one sister Linda (Cliff) Unger.

Martha was predeceased by Randy Brian (son) and Dick (husband). 

Cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. To join the family via livestream, please click HERE shortly before the start of the service.

Ash interment will take place at a later date.