Elise Anne Klassen

Passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario on August 5, 2016 at the age of 83. Beloved wife of Jack Klassen. Cherished mother of Arli Klassen and Keith Regehr, Patti-Ruth Klassen-Selberg and Ron Selberg, and Jaci and Nigel Kettle. Loving grandmother of Alison Regehr, Ethan Klassen-Selberg, Jennifer Regehr, Isaac Klassen-Selberg, Amy Kettle, Brandon Kettle, Bethany and Kyle Anderson, and Katelyn Kettle. Dear sister of Ella Rempel and Ben Peters, and sister-in-law of Viola Peters and Norm Hiebert. Predeceased by her parents Ben and Elizabeth Peters, brother Jake Peters, sister Helen Hiebert, sister-in-law Nancy Peters, and brother-in-law Edwin Rempel. Elise was born in Winkler, Manitoba. She recovered from rheumatic fever as a teenager, did most of her high school by correspondence, and then went to Normal School in Winnipeg to become a teacher. Over the next 30 years, she taught a large variety of children, including one-room schools, special needs children, Kindergarten to Grade 6, and principal at Ottawa Christian School. Elise and Jack were married in July, 1958 in Winkler, and just celebrated their 58th anniversary. They lived in Portage la Prairie, Winnipeg, Grand Rapids, Ottawa, Edmonton, Hamilton and Kitchener – more than once in some of these places. Elise loved to host people in their home, cooking and hosting for endless family, church, and community events. After retirement, in MCC service, she provided leadership in establishing Habitat for Humanity in Edmonton. Elise and Jack loved to travel together and to serve together, and they were delighted when they could do both at the same time. Cremation will take place at Elise’s request. Friends are invited to share their memories of Elise with her family during visitation at Parkwood Mennonite Home, 720 New Hampshire Street, Waterloo on Thursday afternoon August 11 from 2-4 p.m., and at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday evening August 11 from 7-9 p.m. The memorial service will be held at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home on Friday, August 12 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow immediately in the Fireside Room. Condolences for the family and donations to Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, may be made on the funeral home website at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.