Obituary of Paul Klassen

Paul Klassen, 90, died peacefully Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Parkwood Mennonite Home after a short illness. He was born at home, on William Street in Waterloo, on August 12, 1930. His parents, Abram P. and Katharina Klassen, brother John, sister-in-law Joan, and sister Trudy have predeceased him. Paul is survived by his much-loved wife and life partner Ruth (Peters). He was a loving father and father-in-law to Karen Klassen Harder and Jim Harder; Elizabeth Klassen and Gerry Steingart; Peter and Katie Klassen; Ruth-Ann and Rick Shantz. Grandfather to Annalisa and Jacob Brenneman, John Harder, Chris Steingart and Jillian Burkhardt, Joel and Danielle Steingart, Matthew and Leah Klassen, Nathan Klassen, Ben Shantz, and Jonathan Shantz. Great-grandfather to Rowan Steingart, Maya Steingart, Irene Brenneman, Margaret Brenneman, and Madelyn Steingart. Paul and Ruth were married on August 28, 1954 and lived a life focused on church, family, and friends. Paul was a believer and church member. He was baptized at W-K United Mennonite Church as a young person and remained actively involved until recent years. Within the church he served as a deacon, a boys' club leader, and usher. His skills and readiness to help were well utilized within the church and in other church-related organizations. Paul was a family man. He took great joy in holding babies, attending sports events and concerts, hearing news of his children and grandchildren, and visiting them in far off places. He loved and supported each of them and was interested in learning about their lives. Together, Paul and Ruth created a home where family, friends and newcomers felt welcome. Paul was an explorer. As a youngster he took great delight in biking and camping adventures in Waterloo County. Later, he and Ruth would take leisurely drives in the country that would often end with a meal at one of many favorite restaurants. In recent years, his motorized wheelchair became his much-valued mode of transportation and he would go for "walks" as far as the battery would take him. Paul was a creator. He enjoyed his job as a machine technician in the engineering department shop at the University of Waterloo because he could build things that would enable the work of others. He loved to cook and was continually searching for the ideal cheesecake recipe. In his retirement he took pride in learning to bake the perfect Zwieback. He developed a serious interest in colouring in recent years. He combined the precision of an engineer with the eye of an artist to create works of beauty. Covid-19 restrictions have shaped our ways of connecting. A private family celebration of life will be led by Pastor Ben Cassels. At a later date, the family will gather for a service of committal at Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo. Memorial donations to House of Friendship or Mennonite Central Committee may be arranged by contacting Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.