Helmuth Eric Klassen
May 4, 1943 – February 12, 2022
Helmuth was born on May 4, 1943 to Aganetha (nee Martens) and Jacob Klassen. He was the youngest of 4 brothers. He grew up on the family farm and participated in the Steinbach MB Church where he got to know Agnes Goertzen. After high school he attended Winkler Bible School for a year, then completed teacher’s training. He returned to Winkler Bible School to attend the Christmas Concert and heard and saw Agnes singing in the choir. He knew then that he wanted to marry her. They married on July 2, 1964. Helmuth taught in Twin Creek, Niverville and Winnipeg and completed a Bachelor of Arts. Helmuth and Agnes welcomed Joanne in 1966 and Richard in 1968.
The MB churches of Manitoba were planning to build and operate a personal care home and Helmuth was hired as the first CEO of Donwood Manor. He took pleasure in getting to know virtually every employee over the years he worked there. Eventually the Elderly Persons Housing was built followed by Donwood South and Donwood West. He also earned a degree in Health Services Management. During these years Helmuth and Agnes introduced their children to many parts of Manitoba, travelling to Churchill by train, camping in parks throughout the province and going on many daytrips. They also took a road trip each summer exploring every province of Canada and almost every state in the USA. Helmuth and Agnes supported their children in their efforts at sports, music and academics. They welcomed Richard’s wife Eileen and eventually their children Julianna, Emma and Grace. Helmuth and Agnes loved being grandparents and invested much love and time in their grandchildren. Julianna’s husband Taylor was cherished when he joined the family. Helmuth also welcomed Joanne’s partner Wayne.
Church life was a vital part of life and Helmuth participated in various roles at River East Church over the years, some on his own and some with Agnes. They were a good team, and enjoyed extending hospitality to a wide variety people, including newcomers to Canada.
After decades working for Donwood, Helmuth decided to begin his own business consulting in health care. The years he did this were rich with diverse experiences like contracts with a number of Indigenous Peoples, consulting on leadership issues with distressed organizations, being interim CEO of Central Region Health Authority and many others.
Helmuth was always curious about others, entering into conversation with people in any setting. Some of those brief encounters became friendships that endured. Helmuth and Agnes were also curious about the world and enjoyed travelling together to places like Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, the UK and western Europe.
Life was not without hardships. Anxiety and depression arose at times. There were illnesses and losses of friends, parents and siblings. The most difficult hardship was Agnes’s diagnosis with terminal cancer. They made the most of the time they had left together and celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary before she died in September 2018. Helmuth grieved the loss of Agnes until his own death. However, he also loved life and wanted to live fully. The COVID-19 epidemic brought increased isolation which was difficult for Helmuth, an extrovert.
In early 2022 Helmuth was diagnosed with a heart problem. Health concerns increased with many visits to doctors and Urgent Care. On February 10 he went to hospital again. While in hospital, treatment changes were made that were helping Helmuth feel better again and anticipate discharge. Instead, he died peacefully and unexpectedly early on February 12, 2022 in St. Boniface Hospital.
Helmuth valued relationships at work, with family, friends and in the church. He did not like conflict. He was gentle, generous and wise. He lived his values and faith and strove to correct any wrongs he felt he’d done. Helmuth loved people, most especially Agnes, his children and grandchildren, and also friends and family.
Helmuth is survived by daughter Joanne (Wayne Paskaruk) and son Richard (Eileen); granddaughters, Julianna Boudreau (Taylor), Emma and Grace; brother Ernest (Nettie), sister-in-law Bettie and sister-in-law Betty; sister-in-law Anna Arlt, brother-in-law Peter Goertzen (Marilyn), brother-in-law Cornie Goertzen (Hilda), sister-in-law Martha Rempel, sister-in-law Margaret Goertzen, sister-in-law Irmie Goertzen.
Helmuth was pre-deceased by his wife Agnes (nee Goertzen), parents Aganetha and Jacob Klassen, brother Jake and sister-in-law Katherine, sister-in-law Darlene, brother Walter; brother-in-law John Goertzen (Betty), sister-in-law Adina Wicklund (Ken), brother-in-law Dave Goertzen, brother-in-law Abe Goertzen, brother-in-law Henry Goertzen, brother-in-law Neil Rempel.
Funeral service for the double vaccinated will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022 at River East Church, 755 McLeod Avenue, Winnipeg, with viewing prior. There will be viewing on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in groups of 50 at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg. Interment at Sunnyside Cemetery.
If friends desire, donation may be made to River East Church Refugee Fund or Donwood Manor Foundation in Helmuth’s memory.
Read Less
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Helmuth Eric Klassen Saturday February 12th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba