Leonard Klassen

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 3, 2008

Leonard J. Klassen, 84
Leonard J. Klassen, 84, of Adams, MN died on July 1, 2008 at his home.
Leonard Joseph Klassen was born July 20, 1923 in Ionia, Iowa to Mathias and Ann (Boyle) Klassen. He graduated from McIntyre High School and attended Iowa State University.
On Sept. 14, 1941 he married Maxine Frances Sproul in Pappilion, Neb., He served in the Navy and was stationed on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. The Bunker Hill was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for “extraordinary heroism displayed by her crew in action against the enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War area.”
After serving his country, Leonard began farming in the McIntyre area. He then moved to Adams, Minn., where he and Maxine farmed and raised their family. After retirement Leonard enjoyed fishing, golfing, painting and collecting trains.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Maxine Frances Klassen, Adams; children, David Klassen, Portland, Mich., Diane Marks and Joe Harmon, Charleston, S.C., Sherrie Prescott and Rick Yerhot, Rochester, Minn., Jim (Lori) Klassen, Cheyenne, Wyo., Mark (Paula) Klassen, Lockport, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Matt Jr. (Viola) Klassen, Adams; sisters, Madonna (Vernon) Blake, Waterloo, Iowa, Kay Murphy, Waterloo, Pat Freman, Waterloo, Joan (Jim) Murray, Jonesboro, Ark.; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mathias and Ann Klassen.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father James Seitz officiating. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Adams, with Adams Post #146 American Legion in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home on Friday from 5 – 7 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday morning.