KLASSEN, (Friesen-Poettcker) Katie
June 10, 1925 - August 5, 2013
Katie was born to Frank & Margret Friesen in Schmanowka, Siberia, Russia on June 10, 1925. She was the sixth child in a family of six. She entered her Heavenly home with Jesus on August 5, 2013 at the age of 88 years. As is evident by the distance between birth place and place of passing away, she travelled a great distance in her life. At the age of 6 weeks her parents began the journey from Russia to North America. They arrived at Laird Saskatchewan in October 1925; from there they went to Coaldale in 1926, to the Black Creek area on Vancouver Island in 1934, back to Alberta in 1939 to the Rosemary area. It was while Mom’s parents lived in Rosemary that she met John Poettcker the brother of her close friend Elizabeth Poettcker who she was attending Bible School with. One thing led to another and on October 20, 1945 John and Katie were married in the Clemenceau District School house, close to Rosemary. They farmed on the Poettcker family farm near Pincher Creek until 1957 when they moved to Vauxhall. In the spring of 1961 we as a family moved to the Swalwell area and rented farm land for one year and then purchased land near Acme the following winter and took possession in the spring of ’62. It was during this last time of transition that our family became complete with Ruby joining our family of Mom & Dad and three boys; Marvin (1948), Clarence (1952), Eric (1955), and Ruby (1961). She gave Mom support on the female side of the equation. In June of 1970 (just 5 months before their 25th anniversary) Dad passed away very suddenly leaving Mom a widow with a farm that needed running. To say nothing of a family that was feeling the loss of their father. She once said that it was during this time she had experienced the love and support of God her heavenly father more than any other time in her life. Mom then referred to Psalms 68:5 where it says “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Mom’s personal faith throughout her life was very evident to all who knew her and she definitely made sure that each of us as children knew what it was to learn and accept Jesus into our lives as a personal Saviour. This is something that we are forever grateful to her for. After nearly 4 years of widowhood Mom was able to remedy that situation with her marriage to Henry Klassen on March 30, 1974. This also solved that question for us kids; “Do we call him Henry or Dad?” He became “Dad” and we have appreciated and learned to love him very much over the next 39 years. After this marriage she moved to Drumheller where she and Dad have lived and worked and finally retired a “short” 25 years ago. Approximately a year and a half ago Mom started to feel the effects of failing health. Her last few months were spent in the Continuing Care Centres in Hanna and Drumheller. She is predeceased by her parents, all her siblings, and her first husband John. She leaves to mourn; her husband Henry, sons; Marvin (Grace), Clarence (SuAnn), Eric (Ruth), and daughter Ruby (Dean Adie) eleven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law and many nephews and nieces as well as step-nephews and nieces. Services will be held at Drumheller Alliance Church on Friday, August 9, 2013. Viewing at 10:00 am, committal at 11:00 am and memorial service at 1:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to condolences@sunsetltd.ca arrangements in care of Sunset Funeral Service, Linden. 403-546-3903.
