RITA (MARY ANN) KLASSEN

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RITA (MARY ANN) KLASSEN

Rita (Mary Ann) Klassen (nee Peters), aged 86, passed away peacefully at Donwood Manor in Winnipeg on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

She was the youngest child born to immigrant parents, Johann and Susanna (nee Peters) Peters on February 8, 1939, near Brookdale, MB and also grew up in Justice, Nesbitt, and Gretna. She was baptized upon confession of her faith at the Bergthaler Mennonite Church in Gretna in 1957. She graduated from the Manitoba Technical Institute as an LPN in 1958. She worked, making many friends along the way, at the old Concordia Hospital, Morris Hospital, and Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, and finally at Concordia Hospital from 1975 to 1997 where she was laid off just short of retirement age due to healthcare cutbacks. After that, she worked in the deli at Sobey’s until her retirement.

She would marry Peter Klassen in 1971 in Steinbach, and they would settle in Winnipeg and together build a loving family of three children and five grandchildren. They loved camping and built many memories and lifelong friendships with their camping group friends. Mom will be remembered for her hard-working nature, amazing hospitality, love of children and her desire for her own kids to have a better life.

Rita is survived by her husband Peter; her daughter Barbara (Richard) Heck and their children, Gavin and Garrett; daughter Sylvia Klassen; son Gerald (Elizabeth) Klassen and their children, Randy, Carter, and Elisha.

She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, John and Albert, sisters Frieda, Erna and Susan.

Funeral service is planned for September 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Eastview Community Church, 315 Maxwell King Dr., East St Paul. Private family interment service at Glen Eden Cemetery.

In care of arrangements

Tributes: friendsfs.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 13, 2025