Hilda Klaassen

George, IA        Hilda Klaassen, age 89 of George, IA died Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN.           Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, August 7th at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA, with Rev. Bryan Anderson officiating.           Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA.           Family will receive friends on Monday morning from 9:30 to the hour of service at the church.      Hilda Lucille Klaassen was born March 2, 1928 on a farm east of Rock Rapids to Klaus and Grace (Krull) Van Westen. There she lived her youth and attended country school. Growing up, Hilda helped on the family farm. As a young adult, she worked in the homes of area families.           On November 18, 1949, she married Kenneth Klaassen in her parents’ home. They began their life together on a farm northeast of Rock Rapids. When they retired in 1995, they moved to their new home in George, IA, where she resided until her death.           Hilda was an active member at the Tabernacle Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for 20+ years. Hilda rarely missed attending the Wednesday Bible Study. She enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels in George and volunteering at Justice For All in Rock Valley. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in George. Her hobbies included reading, cooking, baking and doing jigsaw puzzles and word finds.           Hilda loved to travel with her husband and they spent winters in Texas, Florida and Arizona. They also enjoyed a trip together to Europe. Visits from her family were very special to her.           She is survived by four children, daughter, Karen K. Peterson of Duluth, MN; sons, Roger R. (Judy) Klaassen of Little Rock, IA, Daryl D. (Glenna) Klaassen of Rock Rapids, IA, Doug (Deb) Klaassen of Ellsworth, MN; seven grandchildren, Stephanie (Dennis) Adamski of Duluth, MN, Keith (Jamie) Peterson of Austin, TX, Lucas (Judy) Peterson of Tuscon, AZ, Wade (Alicia) Klaassen of Hartford, SD, Ryan (Jen) Klaassen of Sioux Falls, SD, Angela (Jason) Klimes of Sioux Falls, SD, Dereck (Mindy) Klaassen of West Des Moines, IA; 2 step-grandchildren, Misty (Randy) Arends of Rock Rapids, IA, Michelle (Ryan) Wittler of Baltic, SD; 9 great-grandchildren, William Klaassen, Wyatt, Maclen, Jude Klaassen, Aidan, Emma Adamski, Elijah Peterson, Thea Klimes, Morgan Klaassen; 9 step-grandchildren, Kiersten, Nathan, Talon Arends, Jaden, Ethan, Anthony Wittler, Lexi Vance, Ryan, Alex Kuennen; sisters, Betty Abuhl of Cedar Falls, IA, Inez Rogers of Owattona, MN, Shirley (Howard) Heikes of Mantorville, MN; brother, Albertus (Ruth) Van Westen of Luverne, MN; in-laws, Pearl DeBooy of Rock Rapids, IA, Carol Van Westen of Sibley, IA, Leona Klaassen of Rock Rapids, IA, Florence Christians of Morris, MN.           She was preceded in death by her parents, Klaus and Grace Van Westen; husband, Kenneth; two granddaughters, Beth Ann and Lisa Lynn Klaassen; brothers, Hilbert Van Westen, Russell Van Westen, Raymond Van Westen; sister, Martha Doeden; brothers-in-law, George Doeden, John Abuhl, Stanley Jurrens, Don Hippert, Sully Rogers; sister-in-law, Lola Van Westen.