Harold Klaassen

George, Iowa Harold D. Klaassen, age 84, of George, IA died Friday, July 6, 2007 Phoenix, AZ. A Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, July 13th at the Zoar Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with officiating. Burial will follow at the Pleasantview Cemetery in Little Rock, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, July 12th from 2 " 8 PM, with the family present from 6 " 8 PM at the Roste Funeral Home of George. Harold Klaassen was born May 15, 1923 on the family farm near George, Iowa to Harm and Rika (Abels) Klaassen. He grew up helping on the farm and attended Grant #5 County School. Like many other farm hands, he helped or worked for neighboring farmers while farming on his own for two years. During this time, Harold and his brother Donald went to Des Moines, Iowa in the fall. There they worked setting grain bins and worked at Iowa Packing Company. Harold later moved to Des Moines and worked for Solar Aircraft. Shortly after moving to Des Moines, Harold met a hometown girl. Harold and Anna Mae Hinricks were married on October 2, 1953 at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, Iowa. They returned to Des Moines to live. There, Harold worked for Younkers Department Store, some of the churches in the Des Moines area, and the Des Moines School District where he retired in 1985. Harold became at member of Zoar Presbyterian Church of George, Iowa at age 17, when he confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. After moving to Des Moines he attended the Open Bible College and was a member of Bethany Reformed Church. He served as an Elder and taught Sunday school. Later, he and Anna Mae transferred their membership to the Meredith Drive Reformed church. When Harold retired, they moved to Arizona and joined the Desert Haven Community Church where they were currently members. Harold was a member of the East Des Moines Kiwanis Club and the Toastmasters Club. Harold was handy with woodworking and other small projects. He enjoyed doing yard work, visiting friends and neighbors, baseball and basketball games, Christian music, reading the Bible, doing Bible studies, and traveling. They visited many states during their travels with their trailer and enjoyed camping and meeting friends. He is survived by his wife, Anna Mae Klaassen; one brother, Kenneth of George, Iowa; one sister, Florence Christians of Hermon, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law, Leona Klaassen of Little Rock, Iowa and Veda Mae Klaassen of Luverne, Minnesota; and a large number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Harlan Klaassen, Arthur Klaassen, and Donald Klaassen; and one sister, Francis Kruse.