MARY KLASSEN (MIKA WILLMS)

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MARY KLASSEN (MIKA WILLMS) Peacefully, with family by her side, Mary (Mika) passed away at the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home on Friday, January 19, 2018 at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved husband Ernest Klassen in 2004. Mary was born May 1, 1923 in Tiegenhagan, Southern Russia. She was the daughter of Henry and Maria Willms of Leamington, Ontario. She immigrated to Canada with her parents and sister Helene in 1925. She received her formal education in Southern Ontario and worked for the president of a large firm, Hiram Walker, in Windsor, Ontario for seven years, until she met Ernest Klassen of Winnipeg. They were married July 5, 1947 in Leamington, Ontario and moved to Winnipeg. Together they had three children, Gregory, Serena and Melanie. Their summer months were spent at Lake of the Woods, enjoying nature, swimming, boating, tennis and enjoyed many friendships along the way. Mary's greatest joy was walking hand in hand with Ernest, making plans for their children and grandchildren and being together as a family. Aside from being a loving wife and homemaker, Mary was active in fundraisers for the St. John's Ravenscourt School, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, and The Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club. She leaves to mourn son Gregory (Nancy), their children, Lura and Natalie and Greg's son Tyson; daughter Serena, her children, Warren, Charles, Romy, and Angelina (Colten) and great-grandchild Shep; daughter Melanie, her children, Micah (fiancé Joseph) and Trevor; sisters, Helene Spencer and Irene Woodsit (Gene); brother Harry Willms (Zilda); sisterin-law Elsie Klassen and Helene Murdoch (Dean); brother-in-law Victor Klassen; and many special nieces and nephews. A special thank you goes to all the staff at the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home for their kindness and compassionate care and to Reverend Mark von Kampen for his kind words and prayers before Mary's passing into Heaven. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 26 at the First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB with Reverend Mark von Kampen officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Brookside Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved Ernest. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Mennonite Church of Winnipeg.
Publish Date: Jan 24, 2018

MARY KLASSEN (MIKA WILLMS) Peacefully, with family by her side, Mary (Mika) passed away at the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the age of 94. A celebration of Mary's life will be held on Friday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Mennonite Church at 922 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg. A longer obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Jan 23, 2018

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2018