KLASSEN: Arthur Joseph
August 27, 1927 – April 16, 2017
Art passed away peacefully on Resurrection Sunday, April 16, 2017 at his residence at Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK with his family at his side. He was 89 years of age. Art was the eldest child of Bernard and Dorothea (nee Pape) Klassen, spending most of his years on the family farm with his parents. He took his schooling at Banner School, just one mile east of his home which was three miles east of St. Scholastica Church. He had the usual hardships of the time, walking cross country to attend school. For several winters in the 1950’s he worked at Kimberley, BC and in Edmonton, AB to earn some extra money. He bought his first bicycle with eight loads of wood and $16.00 cash. After his parents retired to Humboldt in 1973, he continued to farm. Art was very involved in the community, coaching the Burr Tigers from 1959 - 1966, as well as reffing hockey for many years. One of his memories was reffing for 13 hours straight at a Platzer Cup Tournament in Humboldt. He kept meticulous scoring statistics and photos of every game during those seven years, usually ending with a wind-up BBQ in his beautiful farm yard. He had another specialty, that being, barbecuing hogs, lamb and beef for many homecomings, reunions and the much publicized RM of Wolverine homecoming where he, with help, BBQ’d eight hogs to feed 1500 people. He was very active as councillor for the RM of Wolverine, Director of Humboldt Co-op Association, President of Burr Recreation Board, spent many years on the board of the Humboldt Vintage Club, and was a member of the Bier Tent Gang for approximately 20 years. On August 25, 1990, he married Ursula Fogen and was very proud of the family he inherited. Art lived his life according to his faith which was very important to him. Art will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 26 years, Ursula (nee Reinelt) (Fogen) Klassen; children, grandchildren and one great-granddaughter: Cheryl (Wayne) Hoffman and their son Darian Hoffman; Randy (Jamie) Fogen and sons, Dion (Amanda) Fogen and their daughter Kingsley, and Darcy Fogen; sister Dolores Hinz; brother Leo Klassen; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Art was predeceased by his parents, Bernard and Dorothea (nee Pape) Klassen; brother-in-law Joe Hinz; sister-in-law Marilyn Klassen; Walter Fogen; and several cousins. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, SK on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, and concelebrated by Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB. Others taking part were: Darian Hoffman, crossbearer; Nick Schweighardt and Leo Altrogge, altar servers; Joanne Schenn and Donna Nagy, scripture readers; Dion Fogen and Darcy Fogen, intentions; Cheryl Hoffman and Jamie Fogen, giftbearers; Ruth Wilson and Magdalen Dagenais, communion ministers; Pat Menz and Maureen Klassen, memorial table attendants; Murray Blanch, eulogist. Music ministry was provided by Loretta Schugmann as director with organist Dolores Hinz, soloist Amanda Fogen and members of St. Augustine Parish Choir. An honor guard was formed by members of the Knights of Columbus, both St. Augustine 3rd Degree and Abbot Severin Gertken 4th Degree. Honorary pallbearers were: Ken Klassen, Cyril Klassen, Joe Klassen, Philip Klassen, Larry Nagy, Dave Novecosky, Dennis Wiesner, Murray Blanch and Bernard Suchan. Active pallbearers were: Randy Fogen, Wayne Hoffman, Joe Hinz, Reg Hinz, Ron Hinz and Jim Schenn. Interment will take place at a later date. Memorial donations can be directed to Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK or the Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
