Klassen, Dietrich J. (1901-1986) - Revision history

AlfRedekopp at 03:31, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T03:31:15Z

AlfRedekopp at 03:27, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T03:27:50Z

AlfRedekopp at 03:23, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T03:23:17Z

RichardThiessen at 18:42, 19 February 2026

2026-02-19T18:42:06Z

RichardThiessen: Added categories.

2026-02-19T18:41:02Z

Added categories.

AlfRedekopp at 02:17, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T02:17:00Z

AlfRedekopp at 02:12, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T02:12:35Z

AlfRedekopp at 02:12, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T02:12:06Z

AlfRedekopp at 02:06, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T02:06:19Z

AlfRedekopp at 02:04, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T02:04:35Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __FORCETOC__
 __TOC__
 <onlyinclude>
 [[File:1950 Silver Wedding 2.jpg|400px|thumb|right|''Agatha and Dietrich J. Klassen, 1950.<br>Photo: Courtesy of Hilda and Colin Wooles.'']]
@@ Line 9: / Line 8: @@
 In November 1929 Dietrich Klassen family fled to Moscow and emigrated to Canada in February 1930.  They lived in Kitchener, then Hespeler, moving to Vineland in 1934 and to Virgil in 1937, all in [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]]. From 1937 to 1945 they developed a fruit farm on Line 1, a mile east of Virgil, and then purchased a larger farm on Creek Road, on the other side of Virgil on the way toward St. Davids.
-</<onlyinclude>
+</onlyinclude>
 Dietrich Klassen (or, D. J. Klassen, as he often signed his name) was ordained as a minister in the [[Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church]] in 1931. He led the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church]] from December 1934 to January 1937. For three years, 1940-1943, he was chairman of a council of five men who assumed leadership of the [[Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (Virgil, Ontario, Canada)|Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church]]. From 1943-1945 he assumed the official leadership and continued to serve as one of several preachers in the congregation from 1945 until he moved to Clearbrook, [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] in 1966. Dietrich participated and assisted in the organization of Ministers and [[Deacon|Deacons]] Conferences in Ontario during the early 1940s. He was invited to preach in many M. B. Churches in [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], often spending several weeks in the winter visiting a circuit of churches. He also visited and preached in churches and [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]] and British Columbia. He was also a guest preacher who would preach in Russian in small church in the Niagara region, in the early 1960s.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __FORCETOC__
 __TOC__
 <onlyinclude>
 [[File:1950 Silver Wedding 2.jpg|400px|thumb|right|''Agatha and Dietrich J. Klassen, 1950.<br>Photo: Courtesy of Hilda and Colin Wooles.'']]
@@ Line 7: / Line 8: @@
 Dietrich Klassen accept the Lord and was baptized on 22 May 1921 in the [[Allianz Gemeinden|Allianz Church]] in [[Rosenthal (Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Rosenthal]]. In the fall of 1922, he was drafted into the Red Army for two years.  It was at this time that he first read through the whole Bible and preached his first sermon to comrades in the army. After his return to civilian life in 1924 he was often called upon to preach the Word. He also attended some Bible courses and deeper life seminars led by prominent Mennonite leaders.
-In November 1929 Dietrich Klassen family fled to Moscow and emigrated to Canada in February 1930.  They lived in Kitchener, then Hespeler, moving to Vineland in 1934 and to Virgil in 1937, all in [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]]. From 1937 to 1945 they developed a fruit farm on Line 1, a mile east of Virgil, and then purchased a larger farm on Creek Road, on the other side of Virgil on the way toward St. Davids.</<onlyinclude>
+In November 1929 Dietrich Klassen family fled to Moscow and emigrated to Canada in February 1930.  They lived in Kitchener, then Hespeler, moving to Vineland in 1934 and to Virgil in 1937, all in [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]]. From 1937 to 1945 they developed a fruit farm on Line 1, a mile east of Virgil, and then purchased a larger farm on Creek Road, on the other side of Virgil on the way toward St. Davids.
 Dietrich Klassen (or, D. J. Klassen, as he often signed his name) was ordained as a minister in the [[Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church]] in 1931. He led the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church]] from December 1934 to January 1937. For three years, 1940-1943, he was chairman of a council of five men who assumed leadership of the [[Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (Virgil, Ontario, Canada)|Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church]]. From 1943-1945 he assumed the official leadership and continued to serve as one of several preachers in the congregation from 1945 until he moved to Clearbrook, [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] in 1966. Dietrich participated and assisted in the organization of Ministers and [[Deacon|Deacons]] Conferences in Ontario during the early 1940s. He was invited to preach in many M. B. Churches in [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], often spending several weeks in the winter visiting a circuit of churches. He also visited and preached in churches and [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]] and British Columbia. He was also a guest preacher who would preach in Russian in small church in the Niagara region, in the early 1960s.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __FORCETOC__
 __TOC__
 [[File:1950 Silver Wedding 2.jpg|400px|thumb|right|''Agatha and Dietrich J. Klassen, 1950.<br>Photo: Courtesy of Hilda and Colin Wooles.'']]
 Dietrich J. Klassen: churchman, [[Preacher|preacher]] and farmer; born 18 November 1901 in [[Osterwick]], [[Chortitza Mennonite Settlement (Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Chortitza Colony]], [[Russia]] to Johann and Anna (Elias) Klassen. His mother died five days after he was born, leaving 6 children. His father then married Ida Dyck (1868-1914), a marriage that resulted in another 4 half-siblings for Dietrich, followed by a third marriage to Maria Schellenberg (1875-1965) which produced one more half-brother. Dietrich married Agatha Dyck (1902-1972) in 1925. They had six children together that survived to adulthood. After Agatha died, Dietrich married widow Maria Willms (nee Wiebe) (1906-1986). Dietrich died 2 November 1986 in Kitchener, Ontario.
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 Dietrich Klassen accept the Lord and was baptized on 22 May 1921 in the [[Allianz Gemeinden|Allianz Church]] in [[Rosenthal (Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Rosenthal]]. In the fall of 1922, he was drafted into the Red Army for two years.  It was at this time that he first read through the whole Bible and preached his first sermon to comrades in the army. After his return to civilian life in 1924 he was often called upon to preach the Word. He also attended some Bible courses and deeper life seminars led by prominent Mennonite leaders.
-In November 1929 Dietrich Klassen family fled to Moscow and emigrated to Canada in February 1930.  They lived in Kitchener, then Hespeler, moving to Vineland in 1934 and to Virgil in 1937, all in [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]]. From 1937 to 1945 they developed a fruit farm on Line 1, a mile east of Virgil, and then purchased a larger farm on Creek Road, on the other side of Virgil on the way toward St. Davids.
+In November 1929 Dietrich Klassen family fled to Moscow and emigrated to Canada in February 1930.  They lived in Kitchener, then Hespeler, moving to Vineland in 1934 and to Virgil in 1937, all in [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]]. From 1937 to 1945 they developed a fruit farm on Line 1, a mile east of Virgil, and then purchased a larger farm on Creek Road, on the other side of Virgil on the way toward St. Davids.</<onlyinclude>
 Dietrich Klassen (or, D. J. Klassen, as he often signed his name) was ordained as a minister in the [[Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church]] in 1931. He led the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church]] from December 1934 to January 1937. For three years, 1940-1943, he was chairman of a council of five men who assumed leadership of the [[Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (Virgil, Ontario, Canada)|Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church]]. From 1943-1945 he assumed the official leadership and continued to serve as one of several preachers in the congregation from 1945 until he moved to Clearbrook, [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] in 1966. Dietrich participated and assisted in the organization of Ministers and [[Deacon|Deacons]] Conferences in Ontario during the early 1940s. He was invited to preach in many M. B. Churches in [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], often spending several weeks in the winter visiting a circuit of churches. He also visited and preached in churches and [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]] and British Columbia. He was also a guest preacher who would preach in Russian in small church in the Niagara region, in the early 1960s.

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 ''From His Fullness: History of the Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church 1932-1982''. Vineland, ON: Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church, 1982.
-GRANDMA (The '''G'''enealogical '''R'''egistry '''an'''d '''D'''atabase of '''M'''ennonite '''A'''ncestry) Database, 26.02 ed. GM26-02. Fresno, CA: Mennonite Genealogy Inc., 1 February 2026: #84337.
+GRANDMA (The '''G'''enealogical '''R'''egistry '''an'''d '''D'''atabase of '''M'''ennonite '''A'''ncestry) Database, GM26-02. Fresno, CA: Mennonite Genealogy Inc., 1 February 2026: #84337.
 {{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=12 February 2026|a1_last=Redekopp|a1_first=Alf|a2_last=|a2_first=}}

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 In November 1929 Dietrich Klassen family fled to Moscow and emigrated to Canada in February 1930.  They lived in Kitchener, then Hespeler, moving to Vineland in 1934 and to Virgil in 1937, all in [[Ontario (Canada)|Ontario]]. From 1937 to 1945 they developed a fruit farm on Line 1, a mile east of Virgil, and then purchased a larger farm on Creek Road, on the other side of Virgil on the way toward St. Davids.
-Dietrich Klassen (or, D. J. Klassen, as he often signed his name) was ordained as a minister in the [[Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church]] in 1931. He led the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church]] from December 1934 to January 1937. For three years, 1940-1943, he was chairman of a council of five men who assumed leadership of the [[Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (Virgil, Ontario, Canada)|Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church]]. From 1943-1945 he assumed the official leadership and continued to serve as one of several preachers in the congregation from 1945 until he moved to Clearbrook, [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] in 1966.  Dietrich participated and assisted in the organization of Ministers and [[Deacon|Deacons]] Conferences in Ontario during the early 1940s. He was invited to preach in many M. B. Churches in [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], often spending several weeks in the winter visiting a circuit of churches. He also visited and preached in churches and [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]] and British Columbia. He was also a guest preacher who would preach in Russian in small church in the Niagara region, in the early 1960s.
+Dietrich Klassen (or, D. J. Klassen, as he often signed his name) was ordained as a minister in the [[Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church]] in 1931. He led the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church]] from December 1934 to January 1937. For three years, 1940-1943, he was chairman of a council of five men who assumed leadership of the [[Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (Virgil, Ontario, Canada)|Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church]]. From 1943-1945 he assumed the official leadership and continued to serve as one of several preachers in the congregation from 1945 until he moved to Clearbrook, [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] in 1966. Dietrich participated and assisted in the organization of Ministers and [[Deacon|Deacons]] Conferences in Ontario during the early 1940s. He was invited to preach in many M. B. Churches in [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], often spending several weeks in the winter visiting a circuit of churches. He also visited and preached in churches and [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]] and British Columbia. He was also a guest preacher who would preach in Russian in small church in the Niagara region, in the early 1960s.
-To develop a fruit in 1937 the Klassen family first planted annual crops such as strawberries and tomatoes, in order to have an income during the years before the newly planted fruit trees or vineyards would produce a crop. Land was cultivated with horse drawn equipment for the first decade, before a tractor was purchased. After 9 years on a 10-acre farm they purchased a 26-acre farm, where they built a new house and could farm in a slightly larger manner. Once the children began leaving home, they sold the farm and for 10 years Dietrich worked as a farmer manager for Abe Epp, who became one of the largest fruit farmers in the Niagara region at the time.  When Agatha, Dietrich’s wife suffered a stroke after a surgery for Parkinson’ disease, many decisions were made to accommodate her continuous care, such as the move to B.C. where she could get care in the [[Mennonite Benevolent Society (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Menno Home]].  During the years in B.C., Dietrich as also worked as a farmer manager, and was active in the [[King Road Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|King Road M. B. Church]].
+To develop a fruit in 1937 the Klassen family first planted annual crops such as strawberries and tomatoes, in order to have an income during the years before the newly planted fruit trees or vineyards would produce a crop. Land was cultivated with horse drawn equipment for the first decade, before a tractor was purchased. After nine years on a 10-acre farm they purchased a 26-acre farm, where they built a new house and could farm in a slightly larger manner. Once the children began leaving home, they sold the farm and for 10 years Dietrich worked as a farmer manager for Abe Epp, who became one of the largest fruit farmers in the Niagara region at the time. When Agatha, Dietrich’s wife suffered a stroke after a surgery for Parkinson’ disease, many decisions were made to accommodate her continuous care, such as the move to B.C. where she could get care in the [[Mennonite Benevolent Society (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Menno Home]]. During the years in B.C., Dietrich worked as a farmer manager, and was active in the [[King Road Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|King Road M. B. Church]].
 Dietrich J. Klassen was a churchman.  He loved the church. He served the church. His legacy continued in the lives of those he touched.
+"Dietrich Johann Klassen." Obituary. ''Mennonitische Rundschau''. (10 December 1986): 24.
 ''From His Fullness: History of the Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church 1932-1982''. Vineland, ON: Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church, 1982.
-GRANDMA (The '''G'''enealogical '''R'''egistry '''an'''d '''D'''atabase of '''M'''ennonite '''A'''ncestry) Database, 26.02 ed. Fresno, CA: California Mennonite Historical Society, 2013: #84337.
+GRANDMA (The '''G'''enealogical '''R'''egistry '''an'''d '''D'''atabase of '''M'''ennonite '''A'''ncestry) Database, 26.02 ed. GM26-02. Fresno, CA: Mennonite Genealogy Inc., 1 February 2026: #84337.
 {{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=12 February 2026|a1_last=Redekopp|a1_first=Alf|a2_last=|a2_first=}}
 [[Category:Persons]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Dietrich Klassen (or, D. J. Klassen, as he often signed his name) was ordained as a minister in the [[Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)|Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church]] in 1931. He led the [[Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church (Vineland, Ontario, Canada)|Vineland Mennonite Brethren Church]] from December 1934 to January 1937. For three years, 1940-1943, he was chairman of a council of five men who assumed leadership of the [[Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church (Virgil, Ontario, Canada)|Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church]]. From 1943-1945 he assumed the official leadership and continued to serve as one of several preachers in the congregation from 1945 until he moved to Clearbrook, [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]] in 1966.  Dietrich participated and assisted in the organization of Ministers and Deacons Conferences in Ontario during the early 1940s. He was invited to preach in many M. B. Churches in [[Manitoba (Canada)|Manitoba]] and [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], often spending several weeks in the winter visiting a circuit of churches. He also visited and preached in churches and [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]] and British Columbia. He was also a guest preacher who would preach in Russian in small church in the Niagara region, in the early 1960s.
-To develop a fruit in 1937 the Klassen family first planted annual crops such as strawberries and tomatoes, in order to have an income during the years before the newly planted fruit trees or vineyards would produce a crop. Land was cultivated with horse drawn equipment for the first decade, before a tractor was purchased. After 9 years on a 10-acre farm they purchased a 26-acre farm, where they built a new house and could farm in a slightly larger manner. Once the children began leaving home, they sold the farm and for 10 years Dietrich worked as a farmer manager for Abe Epp, who became one of the largest fruit farmers in the Niagara region at the time.  When Agatha, Dietrich’s wife suffered a stroke after a surgery for Parkinson’ disease, many decisions were made to accommodate her continuous care, such as the move to B.C. where she could get care in the Menno Home.  During the years in B.C., Dietrich as also worked as a farmer manager, and was active in the King Road M. B. Church.
+To develop a fruit in 1937 the Klassen family first planted annual crops such as strawberries and tomatoes, in order to have an income during the years before the newly planted fruit trees or vineyards would produce a crop. Land was cultivated with horse drawn equipment for the first decade, before a tractor was purchased. After 9 years on a 10-acre farm they purchased a 26-acre farm, where they built a new house and could farm in a slightly larger manner. Once the children began leaving home, they sold the farm and for 10 years Dietrich worked as a farmer manager for Abe Epp, who became one of the largest fruit farmers in the Niagara region at the time.  When Agatha, Dietrich’s wife suffered a stroke after a surgery for Parkinson’ disease, many decisions were made to accommodate her continuous care, such as the move to B.C. where she could get care in the Menno Home.  During the years in B.C., Dietrich as also worked as a farmer manager, and was active in the [[King Road Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|King Road M. B. Church]].
 Dietrich J. Klassen was a churchman.  He loved the church. He served the church. His legacy continued in the lives of those he touched.