Ruth Elaine (Flaming) Klaassen

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Klaassen, Ruth Elaine (Flaming) age 69, of Anoka, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2015, in her Anoka home, three weeks short of her 70th birthday. Born to Rev. Arthur and Linda (Claassen) Flaming in Glasgow, MT on April 12, 1945, her father served congregations in Lustre, MT; Henderson, NE; Bakersfield, CA; and Dallas, OR during her youth. She graduated from Dallas (OR) High School in 1963 and from Tabor College (KS) in 1967. She married her college classmate David Klaassen on June 9, 1967. They spent the next two years teaching in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo). In 1969 David began graduate school in Minnesota, and Ruth joined Sorteberg Elementary School in Coon Rapids, where she taught for 25 years. Progressive difficulties from Parkinson's Disease and mitochondrial myopathy forced her to retire in 1994. Always admired by her students and fellow teachers for her remarkable creativity, she put it to use with artistic projects during her remaining years, even as it grew difficult. She and David were members of the New Hope Church of the Mennonite Brethren until its 2007 closing. Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her husband of 48 years, David; daughters, Anissa (Troy) Lubbers and Anya Klaassen; grandchildren, Gideon and Helena Lubbers; brothers Dale (Pat) Flaming, Paul (Bea) Flaming; and sister Beth (Kevin) Olson. Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Anoka. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at HopeBridge, 4217 Boone Ave. N., New Hope. Preferred memorials are Tabor College, Mennonite Central Committee, and the Struthers Parkinson's Center. Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home Anoka 763-421-0220 thurston-lindberg.com

Published on March 29, 2015