Obituary of Susan May Klassen

KLASSEN, Susan May (nee Smith)

May 4, 1955 –  Winnipeg, Manitoba

February 11, 2022 - High River, Alberta

We are devastated to announce that Susan May Klassen (nee Smith) wife of Quentin Klassen, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022, after a short, but courageously fought battle.

Susan was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. She often referred to herself as a city girl. After graduating from Elmwood High, she worked at the Head Office of Manitoba Pool Elevators, in the Grains Inspection Department. After a period in the Terminal Division, Susan left to work in the Transportation Industry and Life Insurance Industry.  While working at MPE, she met her husband, Quentin. After a short courtship, they were married in November 1974. They were planning to celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary in November. (For Ever After, performed by Luke Combs). After working for several years, Susan decided to make a major career change. With the birth of their first son imminent, she decided to become a full time stay at home mom. This commitment was firmed up with the arrival of their second son. Susan played an active and important role in their upbringing. She was able to enjoy and take pride in their graduations, careers and marriages. A job she enjoyed and did exceptionally well.

After a corporate merger, Quentin, Susan and Kristopher moved to Calgary in 2000. By the year 2007, the boys were on their own, Quentin and Susan decided to make one more move. In 2007, they purchased a new home in High River. Susan became very content and happy to live in High River. This move completed her transition from city girl, gone country. She was very happy with that transition. During the last few weeks, she very much missed being able to go for coffee with her “coffee girls”. She also missed being able to go for coffee with another friend and their weekly shopping trips to Okotoks. When returning from vacations, weekend trips or day trips, she always looked so forward to coming home. This is where this city girl, gone country, found happiness and contentment. She made her last trip to High River, the evening of February 9^th, and passed away at the High River Hospital on the morning of February 11, with the morning sun shining in her room. The pain is over for Susan, but for the family, the pain lingers as we have lost a wonderful wife, mother and step grandmother and a friend.  (Stairway to Heaven, performed by Led Zeppelin)

Susan had made a note to herself years ago, ... you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Besides her husband Quentin, she is survived by sons, Leighton (Kendra), Kristopher (Samantha), and step-grandson Max. She is also survived by her brothers, Larry (Michelle) and family, Rob (Meridel) and family; and Maggie, Pepsi, and Gibson.

At Susan’s request, there will be no funeral service.  Although an outgoing person, she did have a private side and we wish to honour her wishes. Instead of a funeral service, cremation has already taken place and she has requested that her cremated remains be spread at one of her favorite locations in Alberta. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and support staff at Calgary South Campus; Tom Baker Cancer Center; Foothills Medical Center; High River Hospital and the High River EMS Team.  She received professional and compassionate care from everyone. Thank you very much.

In living memory of Susan Klassen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.