Obituary of Ruth Klassen
Ruth Klassen, 91, died peacefully on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Grand River Hospital-Freeport Campus after a short illness.
She was born in Kitchener, on May 17, 1933, chosen daughter of Gerhard and Helen Peters who predeceased her. She was baptized at W-K United Mennonite Church as a young person and remained actively involved until recent years. Ruth married Paul Klassen on August 28, 1954. He predeceased her on September 9, 2020.
Ruth was a mother and mother-in-law to Karen Klassen Harder and James Harder; Elizabeth Klassen and Gerry Steingart; Peter and Katie Klassen; Ruth-Ann and Rick Shantz. Grandmother to Annalisa and Jacob Brenneman; John Harder; Chris Steingart and Jillian Burkhardt; Joel and Danielle Steingart; Matthew and Leah Klassen; Nathan Klassen and Lily Fryer; Benjamin Shantz and Rebecca Hunt; Jonathan Shantz and Jocelyn Cameron. Great-grandmother to Rowan Steingart, Maya Steingart, Margaret Brenneman, Irene Brenneman, Harriet Brenneman, Madelyn Steingart, Evelyn Steingart, Theodore Klassen and Ethan Klassen.
Mom was a supportive life partner to dad for 66 years and together they created a home where family, friends and newcomers felt welcome and accepted. They cared for and entertained grandchildren whether for a few hours, or a few weeks. Mom would have a plan for each visit and made sure it was special. Her grandchildren would report that she was a skilled interrogator and used the information she obtained to encourage and support each of them. Never did a visit end without mom saying that she loved us and was proud of us. On display in her apartment were many current photos of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she would happily provide anyone with recent updates.
Ruth had the gift of leadership and organizational management. We saw this in how she organized a busy household and in her involvement in the community. She was among the first women to hold leadership roles in local, regional and national levels of the church. Ruth appreciated the opportunity to work outside the home and held positions in several organizations and retired from the House of Friendship. She was a natural organizer and created plans and multi-page “marching orders” which helped to accomplish complex tasks and to make systems better. We all learned how to lead from our mom.
Ruth was welcoming and made significant connections, in almost any setting. She was a strong woman and was unwilling to do things halfway. She had a clear sense of right and wrong and was not afraid to speak her truth, particularly when she advocated for others. She will be greatly missed.
A private family service of committal will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo, at Ruth’s request.
Memorial donations to the House of Friendship may be arranged by contacting Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.