Obituary: Klaassen, Donna L: Harvey County Genealogical Database

Donna L. Klaassen, 86, died on May 8, 2011, at her North Newton residence.

She was born on June 16, 1924, in Freeman, S.D., to A.J. and Suzanne (Bargen) Regier. Donna graduated from Newton High School in 1942 and Bethel College in 1946. On Aug. 30, 1947, she married Melvin Klaassen in North Newton, and he survives of the home.

Donna was a longtime member of Grace Hill Mennonite Church, where she played piano and organ for nearly 50 years. She was a homemaker and also worked at the Newton Public Library for 10 years. Donna volunteered her time at KIPCOR and Ten Thousand Villages, both in Newton, and at Camp Mennoscah near Murdock.

Family was very important to Donna, and she enjoyed sewing and cooking, and baking for and spending time with her family and many friends.

She is survived by her husband, Melvin Klaassen of North Newton; daughter, Linda and her husband, Gary Harms of Whitewater; son, Chuck and his wife, Liz Klaassen of Buffalo, Minn.; son, K. John and his wife, Valerie of Whitewater; daughter, Ellen and her husband, Rex Byergo of Bronaugh, Mo.; sister, Margaret Rich of North Newton; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Frances Horan, Winifred Ewy and Betty Wasser.

Visitation with the family present will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Menno Hall at Kidron Bethel Village.

Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Hill Mennonite Church. Pastor Peter Goerzen will preside.

Private family burial will take place in Grace Hill cemetery.

Memorials may be left with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Kidron Bethel Village, in care of Petersen Funeral Home of Newton.

Obituary

Obituary: Donna L. Klaassen