Jacob Frank Klassen

Jacob Frank Klassen passed away April 8 2023 at the Cascade Lodge at the age of 97. Jacob is survived by his four children, Bill (Sandra), Hilda (Bob), Eleanor (Mark), and Ken (Theresa), eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Jacob was born in the Ukraine on August 16, 1925 and immigrated to Canada in 1947 Jacob and his wife Agnes were married on October 2, 1948. They were married in Chilliwack, which was their home throughout their married lives. Jacob continued to live in Chilliwack after Agnes passed away in 2014.

Jacob will be remembered as a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a man of strong character and faith; he acted as a positive role model for the large group of family and friends who mourn his passing.

The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Botha, all of the nurses and the rest of the staff at the Cascade Lodge for their kindness and unwavering support. Jacob will be sorely missed by us all.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 pm on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave. Chilliwack. A celebration of life service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 at Broadway MB Church, 46611 Maple Ave. Chilliwack.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the organization of your choice that supports the people of the Ukraine. Online condolences may be offered at www.woodlawn-mtcheam.ca

EULOGY

When I researched the preparation of a Eulogy, it indicated the opening should set the appropriate tone.

When I thought about this for our Dad’s life I was struck by two key themes:

The FIRST was what our Dad experienced during his early years in the Ukraine.

My Dad was born on August 16, 1925 in the village of Alexanderthol and he had 5 siblings:

     - Helen, Frank

     - Anna, Corny and

     - Katie.

Dad’s youth was taken over by war and conflict.  Instead of playing sports and hanging out with friends, my Dad was figuring out how to stay alive amongst the competing factions of the Russian Army, the German Army and the Partisans.

If this wasn’t enough, the next act of survival was a separation from family and the need to flee from the Ukraine, entirely on his own.

Dad rarely spoke of:

     - all he went through, 

     - what he experienced, 

     - what he saw, or 

     - what he had to do to survive through these years.

One thing my siblings and I firmly believe is that these experiences deeply shaped the man our father became.

The SECOND theme was my Dad’s relationship with my Mom.  

Mom and Dad were a team:

     - similar early life experiences , 

     - starting with absolutely nothing, 

     - traveling to a new country with no one handing them anything that they did not work for and fully earn.

My Dad loved and cared deeply for my Mom.

A memory shared by my daughters, Sarah & Meghan, was that Mom & Dad “were true partners who shared all tasks of life.”

Sarah and Meghan went on to recall the love and dedication Dad showed to Mom as she grew weaker and ultimately passed away.

I believe a bit of Dad left this earth coincident with the passing of Mom.

So with these two themes I have covered Dad’s beginning and also his latter years.

So what about the middle?  Here are some memories.

1.  Our Dad was the hardest working person I have ever come across in my entire life - and it is not even close…

Summer work for Bill and I was typically framing up a house that Dad would finish over the winter.

There was never a set “quitting time”.  It would typically be me saying something like:

     - Dad, I think it’s time; or

     - Dad, we are going to be late for dinner; or

     - Dad, it’s getting dark…

On my more energetic days, I would try and challenge Dad by not saying anything; I would wait him out.  He would have to say “it’s quitting time!!”.  

It never happened…

2.  Our Dad was an astute businessman and a very successful entrepreneur.

Early in life, Dad discovered he did not want to be an employee; he did not want to work for anyone.  

I recall the story when Dad was working at the lumberyard and he witnessed a fellow worker be unfairly let go.  His decision was made at that time - he never wanted to be in that position where so much was out of his control.

Dad was tough; he handled himself in a manner that ensured no one ever took advantage of him.

He probably did strike fear in the hearts of some of the sub-contractors he employed, but at the same time he was also able to build long term loyal relationships with these same people as well.

While Dad was of strong beliefs  -  I did not ever witness Dad take advantage of another person or situation.  As tough as he was, he was equally honest and fair as well.

He had a high morale bar.

3.  Our Dad was a great grandfather.

My Sarah and Meghan describe Dad as:

     - “Overall a very serious man”, but also “A warm and gushy person THAT MANY OTHERS IN HIS LIFE DID NOT GET TO SEE”.

I want to emphasize a key part of that statement - “…THAT MANY OTHERS IN HIS LIFE DID NOT GET TO SEE”.  When Dad got to the grand children stage of his life he allowed himself to exhibit greater emotions that his difficult early years had largely suppressed.

A further memory was the “tickle technique of counting ribs” - that Sarah now uses with Finn and Cora.

Later in the program we will hear additional sentiments from grandchildren that I am sure will be similar.

4.  Our Dad was incredibly EFFICIENT and RESOURCEFUL.

First, EFFICIENCY.

     - Nothing was ever wasted or thrown away.  Whether food at home or lumber on a job site, the most was always accomplished with the least resources.

“If you could grow it, raise or build it, you didn’t have to buy it.’’

This was our way of life, but it also meant a higher work ethic from Mom and Dad, and also for the children as they came along.

In my own career, consistent feedback has been a strong work ethic - this I learned from my Dad.

Next on RESOURCEFULNESS.

This list could be a lot longer, but just a few examples:

     - the grafting of different fruit trees to create combined fruit without a name;

     - the creation of different rodent traps that effectively eliminated the mouse, rat, squirrel (and the occasional raccoon) population anywhere near the Andrews Avenue house.

     - the creation of a bee hive out of an old bleach bottle.

     - the trading of hours with Eike Ewart when an extra body was needed for their individual construction projects.  

[I just hope no one from Revenue Canada is here today]

This list could go on and on.  Dad, in a different time, would have been a YouTube sensation…

5.  When Dad did let his guard down and relaxed, he was a charming, charismatic, gracious, handsome man, with a big smile and laugh that could take over a room.

Dad was well respected for his business successes in the Chilliwack area and contributions to the Broadway Mennonite Brethren Church.  Dad was very generous with his time and contributions to many activities at the church - in particular relating to construction and expansion activities. 

Outside of work, Dad loved to camp and fish, and through his later years, Dad was an avid walker - he worked very hard to stay fit and heathy.

6.  When you consider all that Dad went through during his time in continental Europe, Dad was an exceptional Father.

What he gave his kids growing up, was what he himself had not experienced.

We had a comfortable home, a sense of stability -  food was always on the table, clothes were never an issue and a strong family unit was created.  Later in life when partners were introduced for his children, there may have been some initial questioning if we strayed beyond the Mennonite community (thinking here of Mark and Theresa), but once we clarified our intent and Dad really got to know them, they were FAMILY.

Dad was also very generous and helped all the kids with their first home.  I believe he thought back to what he had gone through at this stage of his life and he wanted to make sure his kids had the opportunity for a better start.

While Dad may have not been outwardly emotionally expressive as a parent, he deeply loved and cared for his kids.  I strongly believe Dad gave all he was capable of giving.

Between Mom and Dad, they created a legacy in the shape of what our Family has become.

When I observe:

     - Bill and Sandi, 

     - Hilda and Bob,

     - Eleanor and Mark, and

     - Theresa and I,

Plus, all of our our extended families - our children, our children’s children.

I see a Strong, Unified, Growing Family Unit that has been very successful, enjoys each other’s company and deeply cares for each other.

Really, there can be no greater accomplishment for Dad (and Mom).  Dad is our PATRIARCH and this is his LEGACY.

My last comment is a function of the path I have chosen in terms of living abroad.

So, first, an apology to Dad for not being around more, and then a big thank you to my siblings for taking care of Dad, particularly near the end.

In this regard a special note of thanks is warranted for Eleanor and Mark.

What you did for Dad, day in and day out is nothing short of “Remarkable” - and yes, that is a little play on words on your previous very successful company.

It was pretty clear that Dad deeply, deeply relied on you and that you did immeasurable, tireless work to ensure his last years were as fulfilling for Dad as they could possibly be.  You have to know that you maximized his quality of life until the day of his passing.

On behalf of our Family I want to sincerely thank you for all that you did.

Thank you.