DANIEL JAMES KLASSEN

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DANIEL JAMES KLASSEN October 26, 1969 - January 8, 2019 On the morning of January 8, 2019 Dan quietly got ready for his next big party. Dan lived his life with fun, friends, and family at the forefront. Born to Walter and Elviera (née Siemens) Klassen in Winnipeg, he grew up riding his bike around the streets of River Heights and developing a lifelong taste for loud heavy metal music. As a teenager Dan's friends liked to hang out at his place, doing teenage things and finding their freedom. He helped them by pushing boundaries, exploring life, and listening to loud heavy metal music. In 1992 Dan became a father to Tyler Burnham. Dan loved being a dad. He did his best to provide a loving, caring place for his son, and he loved Tyler with all his heart. In 1998 Dan met Lisa Wall, and they married in 2001. They lived in St. James, where they always made time for friends and family. It was the best of times. Made even better by loud heavy metal music. Dan also loved the simple things in life - like riding his bicycle, going camping, going for coffee or being outside at a barbecue surrounded by family and friends. And beer. He liked beer. When asked what his favourite kind was, he would say "cold and wet" or "whatever is in the fridge". Dan embraced life with a weird and crazy sense of humour. Quick with a joke, or a funny story, Dan made the people around him smile. He could always find lightness in any situation. He was always ready to laugh at the absurdities of life, even at his own expense, such as the time he crossed the finish line arm in arm with his brother-in-law at a fundraising run for the Huntington Society. And he was always ready to listen to loud heavy metal music. Dan wants to host one more party. His wife Lisa, and his father-in-law Blaine, invite people who knew Dan to a come-and-go celebration of his life between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 65 Swindon Way in Winnipeg. Special thanks to his friend John. Their time together was deeply meaningful to Dan. Also sincere thanks and extreme gratitude to the staff at Actionmarguerite in St. Boniface for all their help and devotion. The compassion, kindness and love you shared during Dan's time with you is gratefully remembered. Thanks also to Doctors Balko, Hobson and Eleff for providing so much more than medical care and support. Dan was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Elviera Klassen, and mother-in-law Wendy Wall. He will be missed by his son Tyler Burnham, wife Lisa Wall, father-in-law Blaine Wall and his partner Val Ruth, brothers-in-law, Gary Malinowski and Dameon Wall, sisters-in-law, Trista Malinowski and Monique Wall, nephews, Riley, Bailey and Brody Malinowski, Sébastien Wall, and niece Zenaïde Wall. Don't send flowers. Dan wouldn't want flowers. Instead, make a donation to the Huntington Society of Canada, or a charity of your choice. Then listen to some loud heavy metal music.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2019