Cornelius "Neil" Klassen

May 19, 1928 - July 28, 2018
It is with deep sadness and joy that we announce the death of our dad, grandfather and great grandfather, Cornelius (Neil) Klassen. He was promoted to glory at 6:10 am, July 28, 2018 in Mission at the Christine Morrison Hospice.

He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Rita (Wiens), his sons Lando (Kathy), Merv (Laurie), Dennis (Shirley), Reg (Gwen), his daughter Genny (Garry) Loewen, 18 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Anne (Rey Nickel), Louise (Rudy) Willms, and brother Peter (Nancy) Klassen. Those who have gone on before are his parents John and Elizabeth, step mother Elisabeth, brothers Bill, Abe and John and his oldest sister Katherine (Abe) Martens.

Neil was born on May 19, 1928 in Crowfoot, Alberta, moved to Tofield in 1937 and then moved to Matsqui Prairie in 1947 (Harris Road) only half a year before the great flood. He was very involved in starting the McConnell Creek Gospel Chapel in Mission during the early 50's.

Later this church moved and was renamed Mountain View Gospel Chapel. He was the Sunday School Superintendent for 23 years. Neil was also involved in the leadership of Mission Christian Fellowship and Northside Community Church. He enjoyed greeting folks as they entered and simply loved to take church friends out for lunch after the morning's gathering.

He bought 2 small sawdust trucks in 1963 and this business became known as Valley Pulp and Sawdust Carriers and is now owned and operated by 10 family members. There are many trucks and 100 employees. In his later years he loved watching the trucks come and go. He enjoyed keeping an eye on the business he had created many years before.

A celebration of his life will take place at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Abbotsford Pentecostal Church, 3145 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, with reception to follow. All are invited. The viewing will be hosted on Friday, August 10, 2018 7:00 pm-8:30 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford.

In the last months of his life Dad often said, "I am ready to go Home. I want to go Home." And we believe that now he is in his heavenly Home. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com.