Liese (Louise) Klassen

7 September 1924 - 14 February 2025

At the age of 100 years, 5 months and one week

She was born in Alexanderwohl, Molotchna, Russia (Ukraine).

In 1930 she started school and was able to go to the 9th grade. In 1933 her father was taken and sent to Siberia where he died that same year. Life became very difficult especially as they were faced with the ongoing famine and starvation of the 1930’s.

In 1941 when WWII came to their area life became very difficult. In September 1943 they had to flee their village. They walked in the cold winter, very poorly dressed and finally arrived in Poland and then eventually Germany. From there they immigrated to Canada with the help of C.F. Klassen. Louise and her mother and sister-in-law arrived on the ship S. S. General Heinzelmann in Halifax on October 16, 1947, and from there on to Winnipeg. The new beginning and the whole transition was very difficult especially because they did not speak nor understand English.

Louise worked in a sewing factory from 1948-1989 until she retired. She was baptized on June 5, 1949, in the Schoenwieser Mennonite Church (First Mennonite Church). Late she joined the North Kildonan Mennonite Church on Roch Ave., Winnipeg.

IN 1954 she became a Canadian citizen. From 1955-1998 she had cancer, surgery and other illnesses, but with God’s help she battled through it all. In 1993 she was able to take a trip to Germany to visit her aunt and cousins whom she had not seen since 1940.

She really enjoyed being involved in Sunday school during the years 1963-1968. She filled her retirement years with visiting friends, gardening, knitting, crocheting and doing puzzles. All though her life her faith in God and the book of Psalms was her hope and strength with carried her through her many trials, joys and sorrows.

She was predeceased by her parents Johan and Margarieta, brother John, a niece in infancy and her sister-in-law Renetta.

Liese Passed away in the morning on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2025 surrounded by close family members.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg.

Service is livestreamed, click this link to view.