Ted E. Claassen
Ted E. Claassen, 91, lifelong resident
of Newton, died Friday (March 10, 2000) at Newton Medical Center.
He was born Aug. 27, 1908, in Newton to
Cornelius F. and Marie (Ensz) Claassen. He married Helen Marguerite
Yergler June 10, 1933, at First Mennonite Church in Newton. She
preceded him in death Oct. 26, 1991.
He attended McKinley school, Lincoln
Junior High and graduated from Newton High School in 1926. He later
graduated from Bethel College in 1930 with a degree in mathematics.
He was a lifetime member of First
Mennonite Church in Newton, where he served as Sunday School teacher
and superintendent.
He worked at Claassen Investment and
Loan Co. in Newton for seven years, before leaving for Europe in
1940. During World War II, he served as a volunteer for Mennonite
Central Committee in Germany, France and England. He also was one of
the originator of the Mennonite Central Committee office in North
Newton.
He worked at Kansas State Bank as an
assistant cashier, cashier and vice president. He retired as senior
vice president in 1970, after more than 20 years. He was an active
member of the Newton community, serving on Newton Bible Conference
board and held the position of chairman for many years. He also
served on Bethel Deaconess Hospital board, Et Cetera Shop board and
was a member of the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a
longtime member of Gideons International and served on the local
Republican committee.
Survivors include: two sons, Dr. David
W. Claassen of Denver and Charles F. Claassen of Liberty, Mo.; two
daughters, Naomi McElroy of Liberty, Mo., and Mary Ann Franz of
Newton; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by five
brothers, Heinrich Claassen, Cornelius C.W. Claassen, Johannes
Claassen, John P. Claassen and Willie Claassen; and three sisters,
Marie Claassen, Helen Richert and Anna Claassen.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday at First Mennonite Church in Newton with the Revs. Clarence
Rempel and Rusty Bonham officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood
Cemetery.
Friends may call until 9 p.m. today
with family greeting friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home.
Memorials have been established with
First Mennonite Church, Gideon International Ministries and Billy
Graham Ministries in care of the funeral home.
