RICHARD HOWARD KLASSEN

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RICHARD HOWARD KLASSEN

April 4, 1941 – June 24, 2024

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Richard Howard Klassen on June 24, 2024.

Richard was predeceased by his first wonderful wife, Kathleen (Keough) Klassen with whom they had three children; Terry (Bill) Baldwin and grandchildren Kurt (Emma) Baldwin and Kelsey (Travis) Baldwin, Dennis Klassen (1966-2020) and grandchildren Jakob and Leo Klassen, and Darrin Klassen (1968-2005).

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Jake and Katherine Klassen and brothers, Jack (Rita) and Don (Marion) Klassen and survived by his sister, Beverly (Mike) Hall.

He has been married to Rhonda Klassen, his loving wife of 50 years and together they had Kim Klassen, their youngest of four children they raised together.

Richard was born in Vauxhall, Alberta on a small farm. His relatives lived all around him and were also his best friends. He enjoyed his high school chums and remained in touch with them over the years with their annual golf tournament in Vauxhall. He loved the mountains and everything Alberta had to offer and tried to get back there as often as possible. When his father bought a section of land in Sanford, Manitoba in the late fifties, the family moved out there to farm. Richard worked the farm while attending the University of Manitoba, department of Agriculture. When he graduated, he moved to BC and worked for Buckerfields, a Richardson company and then returned to take over the Manitoba farm with his brother Don while his father retired, and the rest of the family moved back to Alberta. Don and Richard were successful with the grain farm and expanded their operation into a feedlot and fertilizer company. Richard was active on many committees and soon caught the eye of the Manitoba Grain Commission. He sold the farm and moved closer to Winnipeg to begin work at the Grain Commission for a few years before being asked to join the Canadian Wheat Board as a commissioner. He loved his work at the Wheat Board, travelling the world marketing Canadian grain products while making many friends along the way. After the Wheat Board he worked at the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool as Executive Vice President of the Food and Industrial group.

Throughout his life he always made time to go hunting and fishing with a core group of friends which he cherished. When he retired at his home in Headingley, Manitoba he became content to tend to his yard, take wonderful vacations, and enjoy his friends and family. Richard was always keen to learn new things and took up skiing at 40, making memorable family ski vacations and then golfing in his 60’s where he and Rhonda made lovely new friends along the way. Richard was a strong man, mentally, physically, and emotionally and it is that strength which lives on in his wife and children, that is his legacy.

A special thank you for the care and attention given to Richard during his chemo and immunotherapy treatments at CancerCare Manitoba; Dr. Czaykowski, Sean, and the compassionate and kind palliative team under Marnie with Melanie, Nicole, and Dr. Woelk. Thank you to Home Care under Laurel who made it possible to remain home in his last days with all the help we needed. Also, to our GP Dr. Glor.

If desired, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or the Seeing Eye Dog program in Richard’s name, one of his favorite charities.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., with refreshments to follow.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2024, Jun 29, 2024