Obituary of Sandra Louise Klassen

Sandra Klassen was born on November 26, 1952, in Steinbach, MB. She had a happy childhood, growing up at 107 Mill (First) Street, in a big one and a half story house, surrounded by a family of 13 (she was number 12) and a neighbourhood full of friends.

Sandra’s parents, Cornelius (C.U.) and Nettie Klassen have gone on before her, as well as her older brother Bernie and her older sisters Leona and Lisa. Still left to miss her are her siblings and in-laws, Jack and Connie Klassen, Nettie Klassen (Bernie), Glen and Betty Klassen, Alfrieda and Harold Dyck, Ron Klassen and Esther Tennenhouse, Peter and Luella Klassen, Linda and Del Wall, Daniel Klassen and Valerie Palmer, Julia and Ron Dalloo, and Ken and Roxanne Klassen. Sandra was also blessed with many nephews and nieces. Thanks to all who visited and sent thoughtful cards and gifts.

After graduating from SCI in 1972, Sandra left home for the big city of Winnipeg, where she worked as a lab maintenance person at the University of Manitoba after which she held a job as Dietary Aide at the Central Park Lodge for many years, until her diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 1994 led to her resignation. Sandra lived courageously with early-onset Parkinson’s as a young woman, and in 2012 became a resident at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, where she was cared for with love and compassion by a wonderful staff led by Director Sharon Wilms. Just this September Sandra moved home to Steinbach to take up residency in the brand new Resthaven. She made good friends and was compassionately cared for by the staff, in Daisy Lane on the second floor. 

The last few years of her journey were particularly challenging, including the long periods of isolation during the COVID pandemic. Sandra proved her strong character in the way she continued to keep the faith and to fight on in spite of her increasing dependence on others, inability to communicate freely, debilitating pain, and stultifying boredom at times. She was pragmatic about her situation, avoided self-pity and to the end would surprise others with her perspicacious wit and her love of a good joke.

Sandra was a soft-spoken but tough person – not easily suffering loss of dignity and willing to stick up for herself when she felt it was necessary. She was also kind, gentle, unselfish and gracious. 

Sandra will be missed, but we all rejoice that she has finally been able to “slip the surly bonds of earth and dance the skies on laughter-silvered wings”.

Thanks to all those who cared for her and about her over the years, for caregivers that went beyond the constraints of an often thankless job to show Sandy genuine love and affection. This is the greatest gift you could have given her.

Cremation has taken place, according to Sandra’s request. No service will be held at this time, but the family will get together in the summer in order to commit her ashes to her final resting place in the new Columbarium at the Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach, MB.