Esther L. Klassy, 97
Esther L. Klassy, 97, formerly of Austin, died on Feb. 21, 2009, at Mt. Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis, Minn. Esther was born and grew up in Red Rock Township near Brownsdale, Minn.; she was the youngest daughter of Herman and Louise Schmidt. She had one sister named Regina. Regina and Esther loved to play music together. Esther played the Violin, and Regina played the Piano and Organ. In her early years she lived and worked for the French Family in Austin, where she helped with domestic duties. In 1937 she married Harry Klassy. They lived in Austin where they raised a family of four. Starting in 1955, she spent seven years working for Alex and Repha Hirsch, caring for their elderly parents. In 1962 she transferred her skills to sitting for patients at St. Olaf Hospital, where she later became a nurses-aide, and then went on to full-time aide until she retired in 1976. She was known in the neighborhood for her kindness, good deeds and helping others. During her retirement years she became a collector of poems, bells, books, antiques and bird figurines. Her hobbies included travel, gardening, needlework, reading, and baking for her family. She was especially known for her Cinnamon rolls. Esther belonged to the “Armchair Travel Club,” where she served as a German interpreter. She suffered a stroke in 1996 and was moved into Burr Oak Manor in Austin, where she stayed for four years. After Burr Oak closed in 2000 she moved to Mt. Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis, where she built friendships with all she met and was a very special lady to the staff. Esther was known for her lovely smile, uncomplaining attitude and loving heart. She always attended Sunday worship and Wednesday chapel service. For Esther, missing a service was never an option. Her Bible was always near her bed, and she loved to sing the old Gospel hymns. Esther loved and trusted in the Lord, and always encouraged us to do the same. She put her trust in Christ Jesus, who being God from all eternity, came to earth and lived a sinless life, paying the penalty of her sins by dying on a cross and rising again. As Esther did, all that turn from their sins and trust on Christ’s finished work for salvation will be welcomed into heaven when they pass away.
Esther is survived by her children, Calno A. Klassy, Austin, Karwin (Kathy) K. Klassy, Altadema, Calif., Klidoris (Norm) Knudsen, Edina, Minn. and Kaylamae Seiver, Cosa Mesa, Calif.; five grandchildren, Kelly Tinsley, Texas, Ileana Merten, Rice, Minn., Tom Seiver, California, Karleen Koide, Japan, DeAnn Prouty, Minneapolis, Minn.; nine great-grandchildren; Cousins, Josephine Dulitz, Brownsdale, Minn. and Mildred Bottom, Ohio; many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry, “Doc” in 1966; sister, Regina Steinbach, and an infant son.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009  at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend David Johnson of First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.  Worlein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.