Selma Freni (Strausz) Klassen
Selma Freni (Strausz) Klassen, 94, died Tuesday (April 7,
2009) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
She was born Jan. 2, 1915, to Peter J. and Anna (Flickner)
Strausz. They preceded her in death.
She was baptized upon her profession of faith on June 16,
1929, and became a member of Eden Mennonite Church.
She and Rudolph A. 'R.A.' Klassen met at Herald Book Store
in Newton, where they both were employed. They were married on Oct. 22, 1937,
at Eden Mennonite Church. She transferred her membership to Alexanderwohl
Mennonite Church, where she remained a faithful and active member throughout
her life, serving as Sunday school teacher and superintendent. The Willing
Workers Sewing Circle was an important part of her life, as well as teaching
Sunday school and serving as superintendent.
Selma and Rudy celebrated their golden anniversary in 1987.
Selma and Rudy's first home was in Newton. They built up a family farm near
Goessel in 1944, where they lived until 1962. They moved to Lebanon, Kan.,
where they lived for 11 years. They were associate members of United Methodist
Church.
She enjoyed WSCS and teaching high school and college Sunday
school. 4-H was an important part of the Klassen family life.
Selma graduated from Salt City Business College in
Hutchinson and worked as a clerk, typesetter and secretary. Upon retirement,
the Klassens returned to Goessel. Her husband died in 1990. She moved to
Hanston, where she lived for two and one-half years before moving to Schowalter
Villa in 2001.
She also was preceded in death by an infant daughter,
Agnetha Ann, and six siblings.
She is survived by one brother, Melvin Strausz, and wife,
Viola; and four children: Donald Klassen and wife, Roine; James Klassen and
wife, Ly; Vernell Miller and husband, Paul; and Cynthia Goerzen and husband,
Les. She also is survived by eight grandchildren, Rachel (Klassen) and Karl
Friesen, Jonathan and Fallon Miller, Elise (Miller) and Tony Garetto, Andre
Miller, Annaka Miller, John and Terah Goerzen, Peter and Katherine Goerzen and
James Goerzen; and seven great-grandchildren, Aaron Friesen, Emily Friesen,
Trenton Melcher, Andrew Miller, Kaylee Miller, James Garetto and Jacob Goerzen;
and many nieces, nephews and friends. All whose life she has enriched will miss
her unconditional love and her commitment to the Bible.
A private commital service was Wednesday. A memorial service
will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials designated for Mennonite
Central Committee, Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church or Lebanon United Methodist
Church may be sent in care of Miller Funeral Home, P.O. Box 96, Goessel, KS
67053.
