Sarah Susie Klassen

Sarah Susie Klassen of Regina, formerly of Caronport, Saskatchewan passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at the Russell Health Centre, Russell, Manitoba at the age of 89 years. Sarah was born on January 16, 1937 on the family farm. She was the 5th child born to Bernhard and Maria Janzen.

Sarah began her life experiencing loss as her father was involved in a fatal car and train accident when she was 5 months old. Sarah’s mom and her five children were welcomed to live in her grandparent’s home where she happily grew up with a wonderful circle of grandparents, cousins and aunties surrounding her. The love of family and a heavenly Father sustained Sarah throughout her life. She lived silently but deliberately. She was a servant to all and made sure everyone else was cared for before herself.

Sarah treasured her childhood and spent time playing outside surrounded by the cats and animals that crossed through the farmyard on the way to the pasture. And Sarah LOVED to read. She confessed to David, in these last days, that there were hours where she would steal away and hide in the stacked hay bales behind the barn to read books that would allow her imagination to soar while her siblings were finishing the assigned chores.

Sarah was a student. She loved learning and enjoyed being the teacher’s pet. She completed elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse south of Morden, Manitoba. Sarah continued her education, leaving the farm to board in a girl’s home in Winkler and attend Winkler High School. After graduation, Sarah also completed a year of Teacher’s College earning her certificate and immediately began teaching in the Altona area. It was shortly after her move to Altona that Sarah caught the attention of a fine young teacher. His name was John Klassen. They enjoyed competing on mixed sports teams, attending music presentations in the community and getting to know each other’s incredible qualities. After two years of courting, they were married on July 27th , 1962.

They lived in Altona for their first years of marriage while John continued to teach full time. Their first child, David, was born in February 1964 and their daughter Lisa was born in June 1968.

John and Sarah moved to Ontario with the children so that John could take a teaching position at Eden Christian College. While in Ontario, their youngest daughter Connie came along in November 1970. John spent 8 more years at Eden while Sarah cared for the children at home and then as a family made a move out to the middle of the prairies for John to   continue his education at Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Saskatchewan. John took classes at the Bible School while Sarah began work serving at The Pilgrim Restaurant on campus. This job only lasted a few years until the yearning to be a teacher pulled at her heartstrings once again. She fought for her Manitoba teaching certificate to be recognized in Saskatchewan and was given a position teaching Kindergarten in the Mortlach School. This position fulfilled a dream, but brought her farther away from home, so she once again approached the local school board to ask for a position at Caronport Elementary School. She was told that she would need to upgrade her education and she was ready to take up the challenge! She began night classes at the University of Regina while being a wife, mom, and full time teacher. She was determined and dedicated to fulfill her dream of the life she was hoping for. She taught Grade 3 for many years, with countless children through the years calling her a favourite. Sarah completed her 20 years of teaching at Caronport in 1999, and at the age of 62, began enjoying retirement.

Retirement did not mean slowing down. Sarah happily began working with EAL families at Caronport to support them with the English language, she joined a woman’s care group that met weekly, she enjoyed traveling the world with John, often leading them to meet up with family along the way, she spent time with friends, she enjoyed caring for and redecorating her home, volunteering many hours at Regina Christian School and she absolutely loved spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

The last 2 1/2  years of Sarah’s life saw a slight change in her mental health, but it did not stop her from enjoying life. Sarah’s greatest priority throughout her 89 years was spending time with her family, staying close to home, and being a woman of prayer. She lived life silently, never wanting the limelight but always willing to hold the light for others to walk without stumbling.

Sarah is predeceased by her husband John, her son-in-law Ron Fogarty, two grandchildren: Jorryn and Marhi Taylor, her parents, two sisters and one brother. She is survived by; her son David and wife Melissa and their four children: son Levi and his wife Jen and their 4 children: Asher, Eloise, Simon and Joel; son Ramsey and wife Kelly and their 3 sons: Shea, Halcyon and August; son Dayne and wife Jamie and their 3 children: Arlo, Emerson and Lilianna; daughter Janoah and husband Dawson; her daughter Lisa and husband Stewart and  Lisa’s 2 daughters: Tatiana and boyfriend Hunter; Arabella and boyfriend Keefer; her daughter Connie and husband Kevin and their 3 sons: Jonathan, Jakob and girlfriend Asja, and Judah. Also surviving is her sister Mary Patkau, in-laws, many nieces and nephews, cousins and all of their families.