Frieda Krahn Klassen

Frieda Krahn Klassen, of Rochester, passed away at home on Saturday, July 11, 2015, as the result of a stroke.

Frieda was born to Peter and Justina Krahn in Greigorjevka, Ukraine, on Sept. 3, 1928. Due to political unrest, her family immigrated to Canada when Frieda was one month old. Her father pursued his education and the profession as a country school teacher. Frieda enjoyed her early school years with him. She attended the Mennonite Collegiate Institute for high school followed by a teaching degree at the Manitoba Normal School. Frieda taught in rural schools for two years and then joined the Winnipeg, Manitoba, school system to teach. She pursued further graduate education at United College and the University of Manitoba, graduating with a B.A. While at the university, she met Rudolph Klassen, and they were married on June 25, 1955. They enjoyed their honeymoon camping for three months in Alberta that summer. Following Rudi's completion of medical school, Frieda and Rudi moved to Lamoure, N.D., for five years. The eldest two sons, Karl and Tom (wife, Mary), joined the family while in Lamoure. Rudi then continued medical studies for four years at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Two more sons, Stephen (wife, Amelia) and Jeffrey (wife, Heidi), joined the family during these happy early years.

The family then moved to Tunis, Tunisia, where Rudi, under the auspices of C.A.R.E., worked as a pediatric orthopedist. They then returned stateside and moved to Rochester, where they built their family home.

Frieda enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to circumnavigate the globe. She was an exceptional student, returning to the university after the boys' departure, as she said, just to show that she could. She applied this competitive attitude to her many hobbies as well as her passion for tennis and golf. She was an adoring mother and cheerleader of four boys.  

Frieda is predeceased by her parents; sisters, Herta and Susan; and brothers, George and Earnest.

She is survived by her sister, Linni; and brother, Henry. She is survived by her husband, Rudi; and sons, Karl, Thomas, Stephan and Jeffrey; as well as six grandchildren and one on the way.

She will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 at First Presbyterian Church, 512 Third St. SW, Rochester.

Donations are preferable to C.A.R.E, 151 Ellis St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303; or the Mennonite Central Committee, 21 South 12 St., PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500.