Anton 'Tony' Klassen, Moundridge
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March 3, 1942 - April 11, 2023
Anton “Tony” Klassen, 81, of Moundridge, Kansas, entered the Kingdom of Heaven to be with the Lord on April 11, 2023. Born in Goessel, KS, on March 3rd, 1942, to Christoph Klassen and Marie (Boese) Klassen, Anton was the third child of four brothers, and was able to enjoy growing up with his siblings, Harold, Eldon, and Ruben on a small farm south of Goessel, Kansas.
The family had a strong Mennonite belief and as part of his personal faith, Anton was baptized on May 20th, 1956, at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. He would continue to be a devout Christian at Eden Mennonite Church for the remainder of his life.
As a child, Anton attended Emmenthal School in Goessel where he received his primary education. In 1959, Anton graduated from Goessel High School, where he would go on to attend for one year at Bethel College. It was there at Bethel where Anton would meet the love of his life, Patsy (Krehbiel) Klassen.
At the age of 19, Anton and Patsy would join in marriage on November 23rd, 1963.
Soon after Anton and Patsy were married, they would move to Denver, Colorado where Anton would serve two years in 1W service at Denver General Hospital.
After Anton’s time was finished in Denver, they moved back to Moundridge, Kansas where they would enjoy a happy 57 years of marriage before Patsy’s passing on October 13th, 2021.
Anton and Patsy suffered heartbreak when they lost two sons, Neil, and Steven. Despite their heartache, Anton and Patsy were blessed when they were able to adopt their son, Scott Klassen, on September 24th, 1971.
Having been raised with the strong value of hard work, Anton had two employers where he was a model employee. Upon on their arrival back in Kansas, Anton would work for Excel Corporation for a short time before finally finding his perfect fit at the Moundridge Telephone Company in 1966, a position he would maintain for 50 years before his retirement in 2016. Anton earned the nickname, “The Phone Man” as he was affectionately known throughout Moundridge and the surrounding communities. During his time at the phone company, Anton would continue his education at Dynatel Corp in San Francisco, California and numerous telephone trainings at College Station, Texas.
Aside from his career, Anton also dedicated countless hours to his family’s farm, often spending many evenings and weekends working with his son Scott, and later, his grandsons Cade and Calen Klassen.
Outside of work, Anton enjoyed traveling. He and Patsy had the opportunity to visit many amazing places such as Cancun, Cozumel, Washington D.C., the Florida Space Center and Lancaster, PA, to name a few. Anton thoroughly enjoyed having Tuesday morning coffee with his close friends and relatives, attending farm auctions, eating at Charlie’s in Newton, and watching the local news, The Family Feud, or especially Gunsmoke. Most of the time, however, you could find Anton working on his family farm. Anton also enjoyed meeting and chatting with countless people he would encounter in his community, as well as the many friends he had made.
Anton is survived by his son, Scott and Suzanne, Park City, KS; grandson, Cade and Melissa and great-grandson, Easton, Olathe, KS; grandson, Calen, Wichita, KS; brother, Eldon and Darlene, Wichita, KS; brother, Ruben and Analene, Goessel, KS; brother-in-law, Larry and Betty Krehbiel, Moundridge, KS; sister-in-law, Kay and Gib Burgan, Moundridge, KS; sister-in-law, Maxine Schrag, Moundridge, KS; and countless nieces and nephews.
Anton was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy (Krehbiel) Klassen; parents, Christoph and Marie (Boese) Klassen; and his brother, Harold Klassen.
A viewing and memorial service will be held Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the Moundridge Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge at 10 a.m., Monday April 17 with the burial following at the church cemetery. A fellowship meal will be immediately following the funeral in the church fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Victory in the Valley in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.
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