«Христос Воскрес» is the Ukrainian Easter greeting, and means “Christ has risen.” During Easter service (which, for the orthodox, is a midnight mass), the priest shouts this to the congregation, who answer «Воїстено Воскрес!» (“Indeed he has risen!”).
It has been six months since my husband passed away. We, meaning my son Prescott, his wife Monica, my daughter Natasha and her partner Mike and our only grandchild Benjamin miss him terribly. Trying to come to terms with his sudden and unexpected death has been so difficult. However, we as a family are working at accepting our new reality. It probably seems to my readers that his passing is all I can write about. For now this is probably true.
I am thankful for Club 48. My mom had belonged to a club called the 21 Club. It was open to all women born in 1921. The memory of my mom’s club and how much she looked forward to their meetings inspired a friend and I to begin a club called Club 48. The club has 20 members and is open to women in Steinbach and the surrounding area who were born in 1948. I have rekindled old friendships and made new friends. Several women in the club are also widows and have been there to encourage and support me in this new life journey. A friend whom I first met as a preschooler and who now is a member of Club 48 has become someone I can call when life gets overwhelmingly lonely.
Today I finally decided to add Peter’s obituary to this site. Our daughter Natasha woke early in the morning the day after her dad’s passing and since sleep evaded her, she decided to write his obituary. She created a beautiful remembrance of her father’s life. The obituary reads as follows:
Peter Klassen Obituary
Our beloved father and husband, Peter Klassen, age 77, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at his home surrounded by his devoted family.
Peter is survived by his loving wife Luella Klassen of 57 years, his son Prescott Klassen, his daughter Natasha Klassen, his only grandchild Benjamin Wiebe. He is also lovingly remembered by his daughter-in-law Monica Lisafeld, his son-in-law Michael Major, his siblings, and many dear friends.
Peter was predeceased by his parents Nettie & Cornelius (C.U.) Klassen, his sisters Leona, Sandra, Lisa, brother Bernie, sister-in-law Roxanne and his in-laws Bennie D & Helen Reimer and his brother-in-law Eric Bragg.
Peter, or Peitatji, as he was fondly known by many, was a man who went out into the world to embrace everyone he met with a spirit of love and friendship. He was an exceptional father, Papa and husband. He loved his family with every fiber, as well as the Lord. Peter spent his life helping others and his unconditional acceptance of others will be remembered by the many he “adopted” as family.
He will be dearly missed by many in the community of Steinbach and surrounding area due to his many efforts to help others and his amazing talent of connecting with the people he met. Peter could speak with anyone and would go out of his way to create a welcoming environment for all he encountered. He also owned and operated Klassen Computer Connections for two decades and served the Hanover area with the most genuine and exceptional service. Peter brought his love of the Lord and his love of others into everything he did, this was seen in his business practices and his daily interactions with the many people he met every day.
Peter spoke several languages, he loved words, knowledge, history, science, birds, animals, the exploration of space, discussions of topics that explored many ideas and creativity. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
If friends so desire in lieu of flowers, Peter would have appreciated donations made to charities that support children and mental health.
We as a family would like to send our deepest gratitude and thanks to the men and women of the emergency services; the RCMP, the Fire Department, the Paramedics and the Bethesda Emergency staff who all were so compassionate and helpful.
Not Over Till The Fat Lady Sings 