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[[File:Jacob Kleinsasser Collection.jpeg|thumb|LtoR Front: Elder Joseph Kleinsasser, Sunnside, Manitoba, Jacob Kleinsasser, Crystal Spring, MB, Joseph Hofer, Elm River [Valley View]]]
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Jacob Kleinsasser was born to Jacob and Katherina (Waldner) Kleinsasser on 2 January 1922, in Milltown Hutterite community in Manitoba. He was the oldest child in a family of 12 children. When the Milltown community purchased the former Blumengart Mennonite village near Plum Coulee, Manitoba, Jacob and his parents were one of the first families sent to live in the new community called the Blumengart community.
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[[File:Kleinsasser, Jacob.jpg|thumb|Schmiedeleut Group One Elder Jacob Kleinsasser (1922-2014)]]
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Jacob Kleinsasser: A Biography
  
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In 1938 Blumengart branched out to form Sturgeon Creek community near Headingly, Manitoba. Jacob and his family moved again to the new community. On the 29th of April 1942, Jacob was baptized upon the confession of his faith.
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Jacob Kleinsasser was born on January 2, 1922, in the Milltown Hutterite community of Manitoba, Canada, to Jacob and Katherina (nee Waldner) Kleinsasser. As the oldest of twelve children, Jacob learned responsibility very early in life as his father was often absent because of protracted illness. Thus, Jacob grew up in a large family where he had to frequently take the responsibility of leading the family, which helped shape his values and commitment to community. In the late 1930s, the Milltown community purchased the former Blumengart Mennonite village near Plum Coulee, and Jacob’s family was among the first to settle in this new Blumengart community.
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[[File:Elder Jacob Kleinsasser, Rev. Jacob Hofer Baptism in Nigeria (Palm Grove).jpg|thumb|ca 1992 Elder Jacob Kleinsasser, Rev. Jacob Hofer Baptism in Nigeria (Palm Grove Hutterite Community).jpg]]
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In 1938, the Blumengart community branched out to form the Sturgeon Creek community near Headingley. The Kleinsasser family moved again, adjusting to life within this growing Hutterite community. On April 29, 1942, Jacob was baptized, marking a significant milestone in his spiritual journey. At a very young age, Jacob was elected head carpenter and again found himself in a position of leadership.  
  
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In 1939, when WWII broke out, Jacob and many fellow Hutterites received notice that they would have to report to the Alternative Service camps where they would have to work for the duration of the war. As head-carpenter, Jacob had to make wooden suitcases for all the boys from his home community who were drafted. Eventually, Jacob also received a notice to report to camp. Receiving this notice was a great burden to him, as his mother had just undergone serious surgery. He packed his homemade suitcase and in the company of his father, set out for Winnipeg. Once in Winnipeg, they met up with a group of other Hutterite boys who were also waiting for the train to take them to the Alternative Service Camp. There they had to wait a couple of hours. Jacob decided to visit Judge Adamson at the Winnipeg courthouse to see if he could get a postponement. He explained his situation and mentioned that because of his father’s prolonged and recurring illness, he was needed at home. Judge Adamson listened to him and then without many comments, gave him the requested postponement. When he received his second Alternative Service notice, Jacob again visited Judge Adamson and explained that as head-carpenter in the community, he was needed at home because the community had several building projects on the go. This time Judge Adamson challenged Jacob’s conscientious position demanding to know why Jacob would not participate in the war. Jacob replied that Jesus had taught us to love our enemies, not kill or harm them. Judge Adamson retorted, “But Jesus used force. He took a whip and went into the temple and he drove the people out.” To this Jacob replied, “Well, let the Lord do what he wants, but this is his commandment. After this exchange, Judge Adamson again granted him a postponement.
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The outbreak of World War II in 1939 brought unforeseen challenges for Jacob and many fellow Hutterites. They received notices requiring them to report to Alternative Service camps to work during the war. As the head carpenter, Jacob was tasked with making wooden suitcases for boys from his community who had been drafted. When his notice arrived, it weighed heavily on him, especially as his mother was recovering from major surgery. With his father by his side, Jacob traveled to Winnipeg, where he met other Hutterite boys awaiting transport to the camp.  
  
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At 22, Jacob married Katherina Hofer from Sturgeon Creek. Together they had ten children, but tragically, only two of these children survived to adulthood.
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To secure a postponement of his service, Jacob visited Judge Adamson at the Winnipeg courthouse. He explained his need to stay home due to his father’s ongoing illness. The judge granted the request, but when Jacob received a second notice, he returned to make his case again. This time, Judge Adamson challenged Jacob’s values, questioning why he would not participate in the war. Jacob stated, “Jesus taught us to love our enemies, not kill or harm them.” After a brief but powerful exchange, the judge granted him another postponement.  
  
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In 1946 when Rev. Samuel Kleinsasser of Sturgeon Creek asked the church for a helper, the lot fell to Jacob. At the age of 24, in addition to his responsibility as the community carpenter, Jacob became assistant minister to Rev. Samuel Kleinsasser.
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At 22, Jacob married Katherina Hofer from the Sturgeon Creek community. The couple welcomed ten children, although only two survived to adulthood.  
  
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In 1954, Sturgeon Creek purchased land near Ste Agathe, MB and Crystal Spring came into existence. Jacob, his parents, siblings and other brothers and sisters were eventually chosen to move to Crystal Spring.
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In 1946, Jacob was elected as minister (Prediger) and served alongside Rev. Samuel Kleinsasser of the Sturgeon Creek community as spiritual helper for the Sturgeon Creek Community. At just 24, he balanced the responsibilities of a carpenter with those of assistant minister (Prediger), gradually taking on more significant roles within the church. This included helping establish the Constitution of the Hutterian Brethren Church and creating rules for community property—efforts that sought to unite the various Hutterite Leut.  
  
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As a minister, Jacob took on ever more responsibilities. In the 1950s, Jacob assisted elder Joseph Waldner from Poplar Point and later, elder Joseph Kleinsasser from Sunnyside in establishing the Constitution of the Hutterian Brethren Church and Rules as to Community of Property. The new constitution brought together the three Hutterite Leut under one common entity which allowed them to petition the Canadian government jointly.
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In 1954, the Sturgeon Creek community purchased land near Ste Agathe, leading to the establishment of Crystal Spring, where Jacob and his family relocated. As a minister, Jacob became increasingly involved in the leadership of the Hutterite church. Following the death of elder Joseph Kleinsasser from Sunnyside in 1978, Jacob was elected to serve as elder of the Schmiedeleut communities, a role that brought considerable responsibilities, especially during spiritual and financial challenges.  
  
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When elder Joseph Kleinsasser from Sunnyside passed away in 1978, Jacob Kleinsasser was elected to serve as elder of the Schmiedeleut communities. At the age of 56, this was a huge burden for Jacob to bear, because the church entrusted to him faced significant spiritual and financial difficulties. Elder Jacob Kleinsasser and other Schmiedeleut leaders sought ways to stop the spiritual decline. To that end, they strongly supported the relationship with the Bruderhof communities as they saw in them a hope of reformation for the ailing Hutterite church. Unfortunately, not all Hutterite leaders or people shared the elder’s vision and they actively attempted to undermine his work.
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Elder Jacob's leadership was marked by a dedication to reform. Alongside other leaders, Kleinsasser sought partnerships with the Bruderhof Communities (Church Communities International, previously known as Society of Brothers or the Hutterian Society of Brothers), believing they represented a path for renewal within the Hutterite church. However, his vision faced resistance from some within the Hutterite community, leading to tensions that would culminate in the Schmiedeleut schism of 1992. This complex event would define much of Jacob’s legacy.  
  
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In 1992, the Schmiedeleut conference went through a painful schism. The reasons for the schism are too multifaceted and complex to adequately mention here. Suffice it to say that many of the tensions leading up the schism can be clearly traced back years before the eldership of Jacob Kleinsasser. Without a doubt, the 1992 schism will always remain an inescapable part of elder Jacob Kleinsasser’s legacy.
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Schmiedeleut Group 1 Elder Jacob Kleinsasser passed away peaceful at home on August 8, 2017 at the age of 95.  
  
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When we reflect on elder Jacob Kleinsasser’s legacy, there are two things that stand out. One is Jacob’s belief that the church had largely failed to carry out Jesus’ great commission “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16). He worked tirelessly to undo this failure. His vision and his compassion for lost souls inspired many Hutterites to look beyond their communities and see the great spiritual and physical needs around the world. Ever since the migrations into the Ukraine and later to North America, Hutterites have largely neglected missional work. For instance, between 1771 and 1791, the Hutterites sent out their last missionaries. Missionary activity during that time was focused primarily on bringing back family members and those left in prison in Transylvania and Hungary when the Hutterites fled the area. During this time, several Mennonite families also joined, including Deckers, Entzs, Knels, and Gross’. In 1876, [[Waldner, Michael (1834-1889)|Michael Waldner (Schmiedmichel)]] was sent back to Russia to try and convince Hutterites who had remained behind to join their brethren in the Dakotas. With these last, missionary endeavors, the once mighty Hutterite mission machine sputtered and died. Even today (2018), most of the missionary activity practiced by Hutterites is focused on humanitarian aid. The one exception is the Palm Grove Hutterite community in Nigeria. This community was started as a joint mission between the Bruderhof and the Schmiedeleut in Manitoba. When the Bruderhof and the Schmiedeleut ended their relationship in 1995, some of the Manitoba Schmiedeleut communities took over the mission. Sadly, even this modest effort was not fully embraced by all Hutterites then, and not now.
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Throughout his life, Jacob Kleinsasser’s commitment to the church and his belief in the Great Commission —“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16)—inspired many to look beyond their communities and address spiritual and physical needs worldwide. His legacy is one of compassion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to faith, leaving an indelible mark on the Hutterite communities he served.
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Elder Jacob Kleinsasser will also be remembered for his support and encouragement of those Hutterites who worked tirelessly to improve the education system within the Hutterite communities. During his eldership, Hutterite young men and women were sent to acquire their teacher's training.
 
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Amongst other things, elder Jacob Kleinsasser will be remembered for the many other projects that he inspired and piloted. These are: working together with the Bruderhof communities in translating ''The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren'' (Vol. I & II) from German to English, laying the foundation for the future publishing of ''The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren'' (Vol. III), collecting and compiling the Hutterite genealogy books for the Schmiedeleut, Lehrerleut, Dariusleut, assisting President Mike Wollmann from Springhill community and the Manitoba Government in establishing the Springhill Hog Processing plant, establishing the HB Mutual Insurance, HB Credit and Providence Christian Services, translating Hutterite teachings from German to English, and establishing a large  housing project in Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) together with Habitat for Humanity.
 
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Jacob Kleinsasser supported and recognized the value of higher education. He strongly encouraged young people to sing spiritual songs in performing choirs.
 
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In the 1960s, he served as a board member of the Mennonite Central Committee Canada. He encouraged Hutterite communities to donate to agencies like Siloam Mission, Helping Hands, Mennonite Central Committee, and Christian Aid Ministries.
 
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Elder Jacob Kleinsasser passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 8 August 2017 at his home in Crystal Spring at the age of 95.
 
  
 
= Bibliography =
 
= Bibliography =
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Latest revision as of 18:50, 5 April 2025

LtoR Front: Elder Joseph Kleinsasser, Sunnside, Manitoba, Jacob Kleinsasser, Crystal Spring, MB, Joseph Hofer, Elm River [Valley View]
Schmiedeleut Group One Elder Jacob Kleinsasser (1922-2014)

Jacob Kleinsasser: A Biography

Jacob Kleinsasser was born on January 2, 1922, in the Milltown Hutterite community of Manitoba, Canada, to Jacob and Katherina (nee Waldner) Kleinsasser. As the oldest of twelve children, Jacob learned responsibility very early in life as his father was often absent because of protracted illness. Thus, Jacob grew up in a large family where he had to frequently take the responsibility of leading the family, which helped shape his values and commitment to community. In the late 1930s, the Milltown community purchased the former Blumengart Mennonite village near Plum Coulee, and Jacob’s family was among the first to settle in this new Blumengart community.

ca 1992 Elder Jacob Kleinsasser, Rev. Jacob Hofer Baptism in Nigeria (Palm Grove Hutterite Community).jpg

In 1938, the Blumengart community branched out to form the Sturgeon Creek community near Headingley. The Kleinsasser family moved again, adjusting to life within this growing Hutterite community. On April 29, 1942, Jacob was baptized, marking a significant milestone in his spiritual journey. At a very young age, Jacob was elected head carpenter and again found himself in a position of leadership.  

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 brought unforeseen challenges for Jacob and many fellow Hutterites. They received notices requiring them to report to Alternative Service camps to work during the war. As the head carpenter, Jacob was tasked with making wooden suitcases for boys from his community who had been drafted. When his notice arrived, it weighed heavily on him, especially as his mother was recovering from major surgery. With his father by his side, Jacob traveled to Winnipeg, where he met other Hutterite boys awaiting transport to the camp.

To secure a postponement of his service, Jacob visited Judge Adamson at the Winnipeg courthouse. He explained his need to stay home due to his father’s ongoing illness. The judge granted the request, but when Jacob received a second notice, he returned to make his case again. This time, Judge Adamson challenged Jacob’s values, questioning why he would not participate in the war. Jacob stated, “Jesus taught us to love our enemies, not kill or harm them.” After a brief but powerful exchange, the judge granted him another postponement.

At 22, Jacob married Katherina Hofer from the Sturgeon Creek community. The couple welcomed ten children, although only two survived to adulthood.

In 1946, Jacob was elected as minister (Prediger) and served alongside Rev. Samuel Kleinsasser of the Sturgeon Creek community as spiritual helper for the Sturgeon Creek Community. At just 24, he balanced the responsibilities of a carpenter with those of assistant minister (Prediger), gradually taking on more significant roles within the church. This included helping establish the Constitution of the Hutterian Brethren Church and creating rules for community property—efforts that sought to unite the various Hutterite Leut.

In 1954, the Sturgeon Creek community purchased land near Ste Agathe, leading to the establishment of Crystal Spring, where Jacob and his family relocated. As a minister, Jacob became increasingly involved in the leadership of the Hutterite church. Following the death of elder Joseph Kleinsasser from Sunnyside in 1978, Jacob was elected to serve as elder of the Schmiedeleut communities, a role that brought considerable responsibilities, especially during spiritual and financial challenges.

Elder Jacob's leadership was marked by a dedication to reform. Alongside other leaders, Kleinsasser sought partnerships with the Bruderhof Communities (Church Communities International, previously known as Society of Brothers or the Hutterian Society of Brothers), believing they represented a path for renewal within the Hutterite church. However, his vision faced resistance from some within the Hutterite community, leading to tensions that would culminate in the Schmiedeleut schism of 1992. This complex event would define much of Jacob’s legacy.

Schmiedeleut Group 1 Elder Jacob Kleinsasser passed away peaceful at home on August 8, 2017 at the age of 95.

Throughout his life, Jacob Kleinsasser’s commitment to the church and his belief in the Great Commission —“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16)—inspired many to look beyond their communities and address spiritual and physical needs worldwide. His legacy is one of compassion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to faith, leaving an indelible mark on the Hutterite communities he served.

Bibliography

Redekop, Bill. “Longtime Hutterite leader championed education.” Winnipeg Free Press On line (8 September 2017).

Wollmann, Kenny. “Hutterite elder sought progress, lamented division.” Mennonite Weekly Review On line (5 Septeber 2017)


Author(s) Ian Kleinsasser
Date Published July 2018

Cite This Article

MLA style

Kleinsasser, Ian. "Kleinsasser, Jacob (1922-2017)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. July 2018. Web. 1 Feb 2026. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Kleinsasser,_Jacob_(1922-2017)&oldid=180442.

APA style

Kleinsasser, Ian. (July 2018). Kleinsasser, Jacob (1922-2017). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 1 February 2026, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Kleinsasser,_Jacob_(1922-2017)&oldid=180442.



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