Mary (Penner) Klassen, age 72, was taken suddenly to Heaven on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK. Mary and her twin sister were born on May 11, 1940, to Jacob & Agenetha Penner on the family farm in Glen Kerr, SK. Mary’s twin sister died at five months of age. Mary went to school at the Lady Bank School, in the Glen Kerr area. She attended the Glen Kerr Mennonite Church and was Baptized there on September 13, 1964. Mary was married to Peter Klassen on July 10, 1960, and they were inseparable for 51 years. This union was blessed with six children. Mary & Peter lived in Glen Kerr, Morse and Herbert. Mary enjoyed her family and all the get-togethers. She always had a big garden and loved her flowers. Mary & Peter spent hours in the yard cleaning and planting. All of the kids received a hand stitched quilt and pillow shams on their Wedding Day, made by Mom & Dad. They also made every grandchild a baby blanket and a small quilt. Mary did a lot of canning, baking and her buns were unbelievably good. The perogie meal with the buffalo berries or strawberries were the family favorite. Her home was a constant coffee shop. She enjoyed the many visits with her brothers and sisters. Musicals and sing-songs were always fun, telling jokes and raising the roof with laughter. Mary had a stroke in November, 2005, and a second stroke in October, 2009. She became a resident of the Palliser Regional Care Centre on October 30, 2009. Peter was also a resident at the Palliser Regional Care Centre when he passed away on November 22, 2011. Since November, 2012, Mary's health declined. Mary always enjoyed the staff at the Palliser and the many laughs with the Activity coordinators. She loved Ruby and friends, Breakfast with Betty, Archie & the Boys, Arnold & Company and sometimes Bingo. Mary made many new friends while living at the Palliser. Thank you for being so welcoming to our mom. We the family thank all the staff for their love, support and care. You cared for both our parents and we appreciate your services. We would especially like to thank the Activities Ladies for always doing their best to make things fun and enjoyable. Mary leaves to mourn her children: Heather Klassen & Bill Windover- Candace & Tyson White (son, Liam), Codi Gammel (son, Zayne): Bradley & Shannon Klassen - Braeden, Chelsea: Merle & Norman Lemay - Dallas, Sydney, Mikayla: Lorna & Trevor Dyck - Wyatt, Leighton: Faye & Dean Kern - Kaitlynn, Sandra, Donavon, Graham: Russell & Tammy Klassen - Tyrus, Finlay.
The Funeral Service was held on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 1:00 pm from the Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Blair Froese officiating. The pianist for the service was Fern Rempel. “I’ll Fly Away” and “In the Sweet By and By” were sung by the congregation. The eulogy was shared by Heather Curtis and Brad Klassen. Special music was brought by Ben & Helena Funk and John Regier singing, “Take My Life” and “Where the Roses Never Fade” accompanied by Lois Klassen. Tributes were brought by Bonnie Dueck on behalf of the Palliser Staff and by a PowerPoint presentation. The ushers in the church were Wyatt Dyck, Leighton Dyck and Donovan Kern. The Interment Service preceded the Funeral Service and was held at the Herbert Cemetery, Herbert, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Dallas Lemay, Braeden Klassen, Dean Kern, Trevor Dyck, Norman Lemay and Bill Windover. In Memory of Mary Klassen, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Palliser Regional Care Centre Donation Fund would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to sign the Family Book of Condolences, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com