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Rudolph Christopher “Ruddie” Claassen

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Birth	:	10 May 1916 Newton, Harvey County, Kansas, USA
Death	:	31 Dec 2014 Newton, Harvey County, Kansas, USA
Burial	:	Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.0443993, -97.3249969
Description	:	Rudolph (“Ruddie”) Christopher Claassen, also known as “Pop,” was born on May 11, 1916, to Rudolph R. and Allie H. Claassen in Newton. He married Velma Schmidt on August 22, 1940. They had been married for 70 years when Velma passed away in 2010. Ruddie met the Lord on December 31, 2014, at the age of 98. Ruddie was baptized and was a member of First Presbyterian Church until his marriage to Velma in 1940, when he joined First Mennonite Church in Newton. His faith and family were very important to him. He attended the German School and Kellas Country School. He... Read More	Rudolph (“Ruddie”) Christopher Claassen, also known as “Pop,” was born on May 11, 1916, to Rudolph R. and Allie H. Claassen in Newton. He married Velma Schmidt on August 22, 1940. They had been married for 70 years when Velma passed away in 2010. Ruddie met the Lord on December 31, 2014, at the age of 98. Ruddie was baptized and was a member of First Presbyterian Church until his marriage to Velma in 1940, when he joined First Mennonite Church in Newton. His faith and family were very important to him. He attended the German School and Kellas Country School. He graduated from Newton High School in 1936. His favorite teacher was Mr. Karns, his vocational agriculture teacher, who later taught his two sons, Stan and Dwight. Farming was Ruddie’s calling in life. He was born and raised on the Claassen farm east of Newton. He took over farming in 1939 and lived there until 1995 when Dwight and Connie moved into the home place. He loved caring for the land and his animals; he was especially fond of raking hay with his mules, Kate and Jenny. He would often say, “There’s nothing prettier than a clean alfalfa field,” and he loved a nice rain after the hay had been baled, picked up, and put away in the barn. His love of the land, of farming, and of hard work was passed on through the generations; he spent extensive time with his grandsons on the farm in the summers. Ruddie eventually moved off the farm but he never stopped farming. He was overjoyed when Jed, one of Dwight’s sons, moved home in 2010 to carry on the tradition of farming the centennial family farm. Although the farm kept him busy, he and Velma made time to travel the world. They traveled to Africa three times, to visit his son, Stan, and his family in Nigeria and Cameroon, as well as his sister Abbie and her family in the Congo. They also visited friends in Holland and toured Italy, and enjoyed taking bus tours around the United States. Ruddie never knew a stranger. He would visit with anyone and he loved to talk about farming. He would offer anyone a job if they would work, and would eventually help raise two boys who came to work for him in the field, Ralph Bruner and John Caffrey. John remains an important part of the Claassen family to this day. Until he stopped driving in 2009, Ruddie would often be found driving around the farm making sure the boys were keeping up with the farm work. Velma would always have dinner waiting for him when he got home, regardless of the hour. After Velma passed away in 2010, his youngest daughter, Ginger, and her husband, John, invited him into their home. For the last four and a half years of his life, Ruddie was cared for and loved by Ginger and all of his family in Ginger’s home. Every day when he woke up he would ask, “What’s it doing outside?” and “Wonder what the boys are doing today?” He always wished he could do something on the farm, be it get on the tractor and pick up bales from the field, load manure from the corral or drive the loader while his grandsons picked up rocks in the field. In his later years, his children and grandchildren would often drive him to the home place so he could check on the farm. On December 27, 2014, forty-seven members of the Claassen family gathered at Ginger’s home where Ruddie gave a special Christmas present to each of his children and grandchildren and spent one final evening with everyone. He was in great spirits and the evening together is a wonderful, lasting memory. On December 31, 2014, Ruddie peacefully met the Lord with his daughters Ginger, Eileen and granddaughter, Katie, by his side. He passed away in his own bed, covered with his own quilt, and surrounded by pictures of his wife and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Velma, siblings Emil, Abbie, and Wilhelmina, and one great-granddaughter Hayden Rose King. Ruddie is survived by his five children: Stan and Jan Claassen of Newton, Eileen and Ken Umholtz of Burrton, Dwight and Connie Claassen of Newton, Rogene and Jerry Shank of Quarryville, Pennsylvania, and Ginger and John King of Moundridge. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Rudolph Christopher “Ruddie” Claassen's memorial?
Rudolph Christopher “Ruddie” Claassen's memorial is located at: Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Harvey County, USA.
When did Rudolph Christopher “Ruddie” Claassen death?
Rudolph Christopher “Ruddie” Claassen death on 31 Dec 2014 in Newton, Harvey County, Kansas, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Rudolph Christopher “Ruddie” Claassen's memorial?
Latitude: 38.0443993
Longitude: -97.3249969

Family Members:

Parent

Rudolph R. Claassen

(1885 - 1939)

Allie Helen Johnson Claassen

(1878 - 1978)

Spouse

Velma Schmidt Claassen

(1916 - 2010)

Siblings

Emil D Claassen

(1909 - 1968)

Abbie Ann Claassen Harder

(1919 - 1977)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Greenwood Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0443993, -97.3249969

2. Saint Marys Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0419006, -97.3277969

3. Shalom Mennonite Church Memory Garden
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0429870, -97.3316650

4. Boot Hill
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0426220, -97.3343410

5. Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church Columbarium
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0663870, -97.3486940

6. Bethel College Columbarium
North Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0730000, -97.3420000

7. Faith Mennonite Church Columbarium
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0672700, -97.3547700

8. Restlawn Gardens of Memory Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0275002, -97.4075012

9. Royer Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0139008, -97.4068985

10. Church of God of the Firstborn Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0142400, -97.4073500

11. Eastlawn Cemetery
Zimmerdale, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1151100, -97.3902900

12. Harvey County Memorial
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0716090, -97.2184190

13. Kemper Cemetery
Sedgwick, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9993600, -97.4228800

14. Church of God of The Firstborn Cemetery
Emma Township, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0940100, -97.4269800

15. Joseph Golden Gravesite
Annelly, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9698700, -97.2456600

16. Highland Cemetery
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1440540, -97.3531320

17. Walton Cemetery
Walton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1302986, -97.2533035

18. Unruh Pet Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1421100, -97.2632800

19. Old Grace Hill Mennonite Church Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0128870, -97.1859870

20. Grace Hill Mennonite Church Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0289800, -97.1803300

21. Horace Hayes Gravesite
Newton, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0435950, -97.1757810

22. Missionary Church Cemetery
Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0581017, -97.1622009

23. Whitestone Mennonite Church Columbarium
Hesston, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1458950, -97.4297920

24. Hesston Cemetery
Hesston, Harvey County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1448900, -97.4402400