Cornelius Fehr Klassen
France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp
Lake Superior Regiment
WW II
Cornelius (Cornie) Fehr Klassen was born 24 December 1925 in the Winkler area. He was the 6th of 9 children born to Philipp and Maria (Fehr) Klassen, a brother to Philip, Isaac, Peter and William and to sisters Anna, Maria, Aganetha and Elizabeth.
Cornie’s father died when Cornie was only 11 years old. The family then received widow’s allowance, not enough for such a large family to survive on. Necessity forced him to leave school and earn his own living. At 14, he left Winkler to work in Ile des Chenes as a farm labourer and carpenter’s apprentice.
On 15 April 1944, when just 18, Cornie enlisted with the Canadian Infantry Corp, alongside his brother Peter. His brother Philip had enlisted earlier and the family believes he was with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Cornie received his basic training at North Bay, Ontario and in Shilo and Winnipeg Manitoba. His Personnel Records describe him as having a “retiring and moderate manner”, and “smiling, alert and anxious to do his best”. Private Klassen served in Canada, United Kingdom and Continental Europe. On 09 March 1945 Private Klassen was transferred from the 13th Battalion to the Lake Superior Regiment (LSR) and his rank was changed to Rifleman, what Privates were called in this regiment. He continued to serve with the LSR’s until discharged 07 June 1946.
After discharge, Cornie returned to Winkler to seek employment. It proved to be a challenging task, for a former soldier, in a pacifist community. He began civvie life as a pin setter, then as a truck driver, and later as a carpenter. He was instrumental in building his first new house, of which he was immensely proud. He was a hard worker and a dedicated employee.
Shortly after returning to Winkler, Cornie met Ann Dyck. They were married on 14 September 1947 in the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church. Their marriage was blessed with 6 children: Evelyn (Norman Janzen), Catherine (James Kesslar), Cornelius (Margaret Peters), Carol (Percy Enns), Christopher (Annie Rempel), and Angela (Brian Janeczko).
Cornie’s mild and unassuming manner, his desire to please and his eagerness to help anybody in need, earned him lifelong friends. He was never too busy to lend a hand or give a shoulder to lean on. He was kind to everyone. The twinkle in his eye revealed the playful side of him, and he was always up for harmless prank or a good joke.
Cornie was a member of the Veterans Association in Winkler and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 11 in Morden. He did not talk about the war or his time there, he put it behind him. But the Legion provided him a space where he could meet his comrades, especially Harvey Friesen and Jake Neisteter, to reminisce. Cornie enjoyed sports and loved to watch hockey, boxing and baseball. He enjoyed taking his children to Legion curling bonspiels and bingo nights.
He was an avid curler and hunter, but his greatest love was on a lake fishing. He was an active member of Winkler and District Game and Fish Association. He was concerned for young people and encouraged them to participate in positive activities. He established the Junior Awards Program, donating the first trophy.
In 1987, Cornie and Ann celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with all their children and grandchildren present. These were the times he really enjoyed: Times when he had his whole family around him, especially on camping and fishing trips around a campfire, swapping fish stories and singing into the night.
On 08 May 1989 Cornie suffered an acute heart attack. His heart stopped and his brain was without oxygen for too long. He suffered severe brain damage that left him in a coma from which he never recovered.
Rifleman Cornelius Fehr Klassen passed away 09 December 1990 and is buried at the Winkler Cemetery.
Information supplied by Evelyn Janzen (daughter) and Cornie’s Service Records, courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.