Montezuma - Edwin Roy Classen was born to Henry & Agnes Classen on August 17, 1935, in Meade County, Kansas. He passed away on Christmas Eve 2024, at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas.

Dad grew up on a farm south of Meade. He had pleasant memories of his childhood, forming close bonds with his seven brothers. They moved to DeRidder, Louisiana in May of 1953. Later that year, on November 26, Dad was baptized, along with his parents and brother Leo, into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister Ervin Harms. Dad remained faithful to God until the end.

Dad spent two years in 1-W service in New Orleans. During this time, he married the love of his life, Betty Harms, on Aug 28, 1955, in Montezuma, by her father. They made lifelong friends in service, including one who later lived across the hall from Dad in Bethel Home. He made his livelihood in different ways, including working at the local Co-op, farming, driving school bus, and managing The Aid Plans. After retiring, he delivered fertilizer for United Suppliers. Dad was ordained into the ministry on February 10, 1971, and dedicated his life to this calling. He touched many lives with his gift of serving others and counseled many people through difficult times. Among his traveling for the church, spending time in Haiti and at the guest house in Rochester, Minnesota were highlights. Not being able to return to Rochester for a second term was a great disappointment to him. When he retired from the ministry, he turned his focus to his family, and we learned to know Dad and Grandpa in new ways.

The salvation of his family was greatly important to Dad. He asked us often how we were doing and gave many encouragements to us. We as grandchildren remember him praying for us often when we were together. We also enjoyed his humor and shared many laughs together with him. He was a dear 'Papa Ed' to all his great-grandchildren and took delight in each of them.

Dad and Mom moved to an apartment in Bethel Home in 2017. After Mom passed away in July 2024, Dad was very lonely. When his health began to decline, he moved to full care in Bethel Home, and greatly appreciated the love and care he received there.

Those left to remember him are two sons, Kevin and Carolyn of Ellijay, Georgia, and Doug and Sharon of Montezuma; one daughter, Kris and Mark Nichols of Montezuma; twenty-three grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; six brothers, Ron and Betty, Aldo, Harry and Donna, Larry, Loren and Marilyn, and Don and Kathy; four sisters-in-law, Marjorie and Lincoln Koehn, Beatrice Jantz, Lenora and Stanley Penner, and Alfreda Classen; and one brother-in-law Gerald Becker. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; one brother, Leo; six sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; two sons, Marshall and Keith; one grandson, Brett Nichols; and one great-grandchild, Tanner Koehn.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Sunday December 29, 2024 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Kalvin Salsbury, Craig B. Koehn, and Charles Schmidt presiding.  Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Saturday December 28, 2024 from noon to 3:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.