Klassen, Aaron (1924-2011) - Revision history

RichardThiessen: Text replace - "Canadian Mennonite" to "''Canadian Mennonite''"

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Text replace - "Canadian Mennonite" to "''Canadian Mennonite''"

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2014-01-08T20:44:08Z

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New page

[[File:MAO1994-14-994.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Aaron Klassen (right) converses with MCC Ontario Executive Director

Dan Zehr after Klassen became chair of the MCC Ontario board in

1966. Canadian Mennonite photo. MAO1994-14-994

'']] Aaron Klassen: church lay leader, farmer, realtor and life long student; born 9 December 1924 in Halbstadt, [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] to [[Klassen, David D. (1902-1985)|David D. Klassen]] and Susan (Heinrichs) Klassen. He was the third oldest child and oldest son in a family of nine sons and six daughters. In 1959 he married Helen Heinrichs of [[Toronto (Ontario, Canada)|Toronto]], [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]], daughter of Julius and Mary (Pauls) Heinrichs. They had a son, Robert, and a daughter, Sherri. Aaron died on 18 April 2011.

Farming and education were two lifelong passions for Aaron. Even more important than his work identity was his life in the Mennonite church community. At age 20, he bought his own farm in Homewood, Manitoba; the farm provided a touchstone and a source of income over the next 20 years as he pursued a variety of educational and work interests.

Although he had not completed high school, he graduated from [[Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite Bible College]] in [[Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada)|Winnipeg]], Manitoba in 1952 and from [[Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas, USA)|Bethel College]] in [[North Newton (Kansas, USA)|North Newton]], [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]] in 1953, and then studied one year at [[Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Chicago, Illinois, USA) |Mennonite Biblical Seminary]] in [[Chicago (Illinois, USA)|Chicago]]. He served as a Bible school teacher and principal at [[Bethel Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bethel Bible Institute]] in [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] for one year and as [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] country director in [[Mexico|Mexico]] for two years (1955-57)—all the while managing the farm back in Homewood.

Education beckoned once again. This time it was two years of graduate studies in history at the University of Chicago from 1957-1959. While there, he found his voice as an active and concerned lay person in the church by writing his elders in Manitoba to protest the firing of a teacher from Canadian Mennonite Bible College. Also, while in Chicago, he accepted the invitation from [[Epp, Frank H. (1929-1986)|Frank H. Epp]], then editor of [[Canadian Mennonite, The (1953-1971) (Periodical)|The Canadian Mennonite]], to serve as interim editor in [[Altona (Manitoba, Canada)|Altona]], Manitoba for two years during Frank’s study leave. In 1961, Aaron and his family moved to Toronto where he taught high school and sold real estate. After five years in Toronto, they moved to [[Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener]] in 1966 and became active members of [[Stirling Ave. Mennonite Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church]]. For the next 40 years, Aaron’s work included real estate, managing the Kitchener [[Golden Rule Bookstore (Kitchener, Ontario, USA)|Provident Bookstore]], running a group home together with Helen, and returning back to real estate in both the residential and farm sector.

Woven through Aaron’s work life were many wider church involvements. For example, in 1971, he was part of a group that advocated for the formation of a new periodical when the Manitoba based newpaper, The Canadian Mennonite, discontinued in February 1971. As a result, the [[Mennonite Reporter (Periodical)|Mennonite Reporter]] was started in August 1971, with offices in Ontario. As chair of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ontario board for eight years (1966-1974), he represented the provincial organization at both [[Mennonite Central Committee Canada|MCC Canada]] and [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|MCC binational]] meetings. He subsequently served on the [[C666.html|Conrad Grebel College]] board for six years and for some years on the property and finance committees of both the former [[Conference of Mennonites in Canada|Conference of Mennonites in Canada]] and the former [[Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec|Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec]]. And he was involved in supporting projects and attending the conventions of [[Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)|Mennonite Economic Development Associates]].

In both his wider church and congregational involvements, Aaron was a leader not only through the official positions he held, but in how he lived his faith and how he related to both young and old. He resonated with the Franciscan benediction posted in his home office: "May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships, so that we will live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that we will work for justice, equity and peace…"

= Bibliography =
Rempel, Ron. "A life of commitment and challenge: Aaron Klassen Dec. 9, 1924 – April 18, 2011." Canadian Mennonite, 15, no. 13 (27 June 2011): 23.

{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=August 2011|a1_last=Rempel|a1_first=Ron|a2_last=|a2_first=}}

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 In both his wider church and congregational involvements, Aaron was a leader not only through the official positions he held, but in how he lived his faith and how he related to both young and old. He resonated with the Franciscan benediction posted in his home office: "May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships, so that we will live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that we will work for justice, equity and peace…"
 = Bibliography =
-Rempel, Ron. "A life of commitment and challenge: Aaron Klassen Dec. 9, 1924 – April 18, 2011." <em>Canadian Mennonite</em>, 15, no. 13 (27 June 2011): 23.
+Rempel, Ron. "A life of commitment and challenge: Aaron Klassen Dec. 9, 1924 – April 18, 2011." ''Canadian Mennonite'', 15, no. 13 (27 June 2011): 23.
 {{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=August 2011|a1_last=Rempel|a1_first=Ron|a2_last=|a2_first=}}
 [[Category:Persons]]
 [[Category:Teachers]]
 [[Category:Bethel Bible Institute Faculty and Staff]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:MAO1994-14-994.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Aaron Klassen (right) converses with MCC Ontario Executive Director Dan Zehr after Klassen became chair of the MCC Ontario board in
+[[File:MAO1994-14-994.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Aaron Klassen (right) converses with MCC Ontario Executive Director Dan Zehr after Klassen became chair of the MCC Ontario board in 1966.<br />
 Canadian Mennonite photo. MAO1994-14-994'']]
 Aaron Klassen: church lay leader, farmer, realtor and life long student; born 9 December 1924 in Halbstadt, [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] to [[Klassen, David D. (1902-1985)|David D. Klassen]] and Susan (Heinrichs) Klassen. He was the third oldest child and oldest son in a family of nine sons and six daughters. In 1959 he married Helen Heinrichs of [[Toronto (Ontario, Canada)|Toronto]], [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]], daughter of Julius and Mary (Pauls) Heinrichs. They had a son, Robert, and a daughter, Sherri. Aaron died on 18 April 2011.
@@ Line 6: / Line 5: @@
 Farming and education were two lifelong passions for Aaron. Even more important than his work identity was his life in the Mennonite church community. At age 20, he bought his own farm in Homewood, Manitoba; the farm provided a touchstone and a source of income over the next 20 years as he pursued a variety of educational and work interests.
-Although he had not completed high school, he graduated from [[Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite Bible College]] in [[Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada)|Winnipeg]], Manitoba in 1952 and from [[Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas, USA)|Bethel College]] in [[North Newton (Kansas, USA)|North Newton]], [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]] in 1953, and then studied one year at [[Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Chicago, Illinois, USA) |Mennonite Biblical Seminary]] in [[Chicago (Illinois, USA)|Chicago]]. He served as a Bible school teacher and principal at [[Bethel Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bethel Bible Institute]] in [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] for one year and as [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] country director in [[Mexico|Mexico]] for two years (1955-57)—all the while managing the farm back in Homewood.
+Although he had not completed high school, he graduated from [[Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite Bible College]] in [[Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada)|Winnipeg]], Manitoba in 1952 and from [[Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas, USA)|Bethel College]] in [[North Newton (Kansas, USA)|North Newton]], [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]] in 1953, and then studied one year at [[Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Chicago, Illinois, USA) |Mennonite Biblical Seminary]] in [[Chicago (Illinois, USA)|Chicago]]. He served as a Bible school teacher and principal at [[Bethel Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bethel Bible Institute]] in [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] for one year (1954-55) and as [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] country director in [[Mexico|Mexico]] for two years (1955-57)—all the while managing the farm back in Homewood.
 Education beckoned once again. This time it was two years of graduate studies in history at the University of Chicago from 1957-1959. While there, he found his voice as an active and concerned lay person in the church by writing his elders in Manitoba to protest the firing of a teacher from Canadian Mennonite Bible College. Also, while in Chicago, he accepted the invitation from [[Epp, Frank H. (1929-1986)|Frank H. Epp]], then editor of <em>[[Canadian Mennonite, The (1953-1971) (Periodical)|The Canadian Mennonite]]</em>, to serve as interim editor in [[Altona (Manitoba, Canada)|Altona]], Manitoba for two years during Frank’s study leave. In 1961, Aaron and his family moved to Toronto where he taught high school and sold real estate. After five years in Toronto, they moved to [[Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener]] in 1966 and became active members of [[Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church]]. For the next 40 years, Aaron’s work included real estate, managing the Kitchener [[Golden Rule Bookstore (Kitchener, Ontario, USA)|Provident Bookstore]], running a group home together with Helen, and returning back to real estate in both the residential and farm sector.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:53, 4 March 2016
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	[[Category:Persons]]		[[Category:Persons]]
		+	[[Category:Teachers]]
		+	[[Category:Bethel Bible Institute Faculty and Staff]]

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 Although he had not completed high school, he graduated from [[Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite Bible College]] in [[Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada)|Winnipeg]], Manitoba in 1952 and from [[Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas, USA)|Bethel College]] in [[North Newton (Kansas, USA)|North Newton]], [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]] in 1953, and then studied one year at [[Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Chicago, Illinois, USA) |Mennonite Biblical Seminary]] in [[Chicago (Illinois, USA)|Chicago]]. He served as a Bible school teacher and principal at [[Bethel Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bethel Bible Institute]] in [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] for one year and as [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|Mennonite Central Committee]] country director in [[Mexico|Mexico]] for two years (1955-57)—all the while managing the farm back in Homewood.
-Education beckoned once again. This time it was two years of graduate studies in history at the University of Chicago from 1957-1959. While there, he found his voice as an active and concerned lay person in the church by writing his elders in Manitoba to protest the firing of a teacher from Canadian Mennonite Bible College. Also, while in Chicago, he accepted the invitation from [[Epp, Frank H. (1929-1986)|Frank H. Epp]], then editor of <em>[[Canadian Mennonite, The (1953-1971) (Periodical)|The Canadian Mennonite]]</em>, to serve as interim editor in [[Altona (Manitoba, Canada)|Altona]], Manitoba for two years during Frank’s study leave. In 1961, Aaron and his family moved to Toronto where he taught high school and sold real estate. After five years in Toronto, they moved to [[Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener]] in 1966 and became active members of [[Stirling Ave. Mennonite Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church]]. For the next 40 years, Aaron’s work included real estate, managing the Kitchener [[Golden Rule Bookstore (Kitchener, Ontario, USA)|Provident Bookstore]], running a group home together with Helen, and returning back to real estate in both the residential and farm sector.
+Education beckoned once again. This time it was two years of graduate studies in history at the University of Chicago from 1957-1959. While there, he found his voice as an active and concerned lay person in the church by writing his elders in Manitoba to protest the firing of a teacher from Canadian Mennonite Bible College. Also, while in Chicago, he accepted the invitation from [[Epp, Frank H. (1929-1986)|Frank H. Epp]], then editor of <em>[[Canadian Mennonite, The (1953-1971) (Periodical)|The Canadian Mennonite]]</em>, to serve as interim editor in [[Altona (Manitoba, Canada)|Altona]], Manitoba for two years during Frank’s study leave. In 1961, Aaron and his family moved to Toronto where he taught high school and sold real estate. After five years in Toronto, they moved to [[Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener]] in 1966 and became active members of [[Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church]]. For the next 40 years, Aaron’s work included real estate, managing the Kitchener [[Golden Rule Bookstore (Kitchener, Ontario, USA)|Provident Bookstore]], running a group home together with Helen, and returning back to real estate in both the residential and farm sector.
 Woven through Aaron’s work life were many wider church involvements. For example, in 1971, he was part of a group that advocated for the formation of a new periodical when the Manitoba based newpaper, <em>The Canadian Mennonite</em>, discontinued in February 1971. As a result, the <em>[[Mennonite Reporter (Periodical)|Mennonite Reporter]]</em> was started in August 1971, with offices in Ontario. As chair of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ontario board for eight years (1966-1974), he represented the provincial organization at both [[Mennonite Central Committee Canada|MCC Canada]] and [[Mennonite Central Committee (International)|MCC binational]] meetings. He subsequently served on the [[C666.html|Conrad Grebel College]] board for six years and for some years on the property and finance committees of both the former [[Conference of Mennonites in Canada|Conference of Mennonites in Canada]] and the former [[Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec|Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec]]. And he was involved in supporting projects and attending the conventions of [[Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)|Mennonite Economic Development Associates]].

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Dan Zehr after Klassen became chair of the MCC Ontario board in
-. Canadian Mennonite photo. MAO1994-14-994
+. Canadian Mennonite photo. MAO1994-14-994'']]     Aaron Klassen: church lay leader, farmer, realtor and life long student; born 9 December 1924 in Halbstadt, [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] to [[Klassen, David D. (1902-1985)|David D. Klassen]] and Susan (Heinrichs) Klassen. He was the third oldest child and oldest son in a family of nine sons and six daughters. In 1959 he married Helen Heinrichs of [[Toronto (Ontario, Canada)|Toronto]], [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]], daughter of Julius and Mary (Pauls) Heinrichs. They had a son, Robert, and a daughter, Sherri. Aaron died on 18 April 2011.
 Farming and education were two lifelong passions for Aaron. Even more important than his work identity was his life in the Mennonite church community. At age 20, he bought his own farm in Homewood, Manitoba; the farm provided a touchstone and a source of income over the next 20 years as he pursued a variety of educational and work interests.