Aganetha (Agnes) D. Klaassen
Married Name:
Aganetha Klaassen Just
Born: September 12, 1890
Place: Hillsboro, Kansas
Died: January 31, 1966
Place: Goessel, Kansas
Buried: Hillsboro Cemetery
MOTHER:
Aganetha Duerksen
FATHER:
Dietrich A. Klaassen
SIBLINGS:
Helena D. Klaassen
Isaac D. Klaassen
Anna D. Klaassen
Maria D. Klaassen
Louisa D. Klaassen
Tina D. Klaassen
Benjamin D. Klaassen
Eva D. Klaassen
Susanna D. Klaassen
Sara D. Klaassen
David D. Klaassen
Herman D. Klaassen
Dietrich D. Klaassen
Arnold D. Klaassen
SPOUSE:
Jacob J. Just (1/5/1879 - 1/14/1962)
Married: January 26, 1941
Place: Hillsboro, Kansas
CHILDREN:
No children were born to this marriage
STEP-CHILDREN:
Clarence, Peter, Albert, Irvin,
Jacob, Wesley, Agnes and Ruby Just
Widowed: January 14, 1962
BIOGRAPHY
Aganetha was born to Dietrich A. and Aganetha (Duerksen) Klaassen, September 12, 1890 at the home of her grandfather, Abraham Klaassen, 1 mile west and ¾ mile south of Hillsboro. This was ¼ mile west of the D.A. farm, where all her brothers and sisters were born and grew to maturity. Aganetha was the first of 15 children. After her parents passed, Agnes devoted her life to raising her younger brothers and sisters.
Aganetha was the oldest and had much of the responsibility in bringing up the family and spent most of her life with her brothers and sisters until her marriage to Mr. J.J. Just, January 26, 1941. She died January 31, 1966 and went to her maker and her reward. She often said, as Paul expressed it in his letters: “If this earthly tabernacle is broken down I have a house not built by hands which is eternal.” Aganetha had a pleasant disposition and with her cheer she brought many happy hours to those who knew her. She experienced much joy in her life but she, like all of us, also found that some dreams come true but others don’t.
Although she did not complete all her formal education that young people are privileged to complete today, her talent was very keen in the field of domestic science and home economics. She had an artistic nature, loved to work with her hands and was creative. Enjoyed singing, and her family and friends found that as a cook, few were her equal.
Two hymns to be her favorites and she sang them often in the German language: “God is Love” (Gott ist die Liebe) and “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.” Following her confession of faith she was baptized with a clear conscience to God and her fellowman in the South Cottonwood River by Elder Henry Wiebe and received into the fellowship of the K.M.B. Church of Gnadenau, later transferred her membership to the Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. After marrying Mr. J.J. Just she took her membership to the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Marion, Kansas, where she remained a member in good standing until her death. Aganetha died on January 31, 1966 and went to her maker and her reward. She often said, as Paul expressed it in his letters: “If this earthly tabernacle is broken down I have a house not built by hands which is eternal.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. And Mrs. D.A. Klaassen; her husband, Mr. J.J. Just; one step-son, Clarence Just; two sisters, Louise Klaassen, and Anna (Mrs. Henry S. Jost) Klaassen.
She leaves to mourn her passing: her step-children Peter, Albert, Irvin, Jake, John, and Wesley Just; Agnes (Mrs. Henry Gaede) and Rudy (Mrs. Ronald Hett) Just; her brothers: Isaac, Ben, David, Herman, Dick, and Arnold Klaassen; her sisters: Lena (Mrs. G.D. Ensz), Mary (Mrs. J.D. Thiessen), Tina (Mrs. H.P. Thiessen), Eva (Mrs. H.P. Brandt), Susie (Mrs. Ed P. Winter), and Sara (Mrs. Arthur Bell) Klaassen.
Her willingness to serve and the blessings that followed from her are appreciated by all who knew her. We can truly say with the Apostle John as he wrote in the book of Revelation, chapter 14, verses 12 and 13: “Here is patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, ‘Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.’”
She left us not to mourn, but to admire a life of faith and service. So we say: Adieu and Goodbye to the earthly remains of Agnes D. Klaassen Just.
Written by the Just and Klaassen Families
