ANNELIESE CLAASSEN (née Thimm), beloved wife of the late Herbert Claassen, passed away peacefully at Edith Cavell Care Centre, on Monday, September 25, 2023 at the age of 91 years.

Anneliese is the beloved mother to Brigitte (Bill) Palmer, Helga (Bob) Hobbs, and John (Karri) Claassen; dear Oma to Sharla and Tracy (Jonas Scott) Palmer, Jim (Katrina) Hobbs, Candice (Dusty) Pearson, Curtis and Madison Claassen; and great-grandchildren: Gavin, Chloe and Kayden Hobbs.  She is survived by her sister-in-law Anna Claassen; nieces: Ellen Ward and Anne Marie (John) Maegaard; nephew Carl Claassen and several nephews and nieces in Germany.  

Besides her dear husband Herbert, Anneliese was predeceased by her parents Artur and Anna Thimm; her sisters Christel and Herta; brothers Ernst and Heinz; brothers-in-law: Hans, Heinz, Kurt and Paul; and sisters-in-law: Irmagard, Lilli and Annemarie.  

She was born on December 11, 1931 in Krebsfelde, Gross Werder, West Prussia.  In 1952, Anneliese, Herbert, and one-year old baby daughter, Brigitte, immigrated to Canada (supported by the church) arriving on April 22, 1952 in Coaldale, Alberta.  She left her entire family back in Germany, including her parents Artur and Anna, sisters Christel, Herta and brother Heinz.  

She was primarily a homemaker and loved tending to her flowers and garden. She was a magnificent baker of many delicacies, a wonderful cook who loved preparing delicious meals and kept a very tidy household.  The family grew with the addition of Helga in 1956 and John in 1959.  Anneliese also helped support the family outside of the home, working part time, and tending to farmers' fields of sugar beets.  She loved staying busy and often spent quality time with family and friends.  She had a love for animals as there was always a cat or rabbit or multiples of these in the house at any point in time.  

The family moved to Lethbridge in 1973, where she continued with her passion for growing flowers, gardening and knitting.  She had a phenomenal 'green thumb' and was often called upon to nurse her friends' plants back to health.

In 2006, she fell at home, breaking her hip, which dramatically restricted her daily activities for the remainder of her life.  Following Herb's passing early in 2016, she moved into the Alberta Rose Lodge, which was her home, until finally taking up residence at the Edith Cavell Care Centre in 2021, where she peacefully passed with family by her side.

Thanks to the nurses and staff at the Alberta Rose Lodge, St. Michael's Health Centre - Palliative Care and Edith Cavell Care Centre for tending to mom's needs during her stay with you.

A Funeral Service will be held at LETHBRIDGE MENNONITE CHURCH, 4303 - 3 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Ryan Dueck officiating.

Following the Funeral Service, Anneliese will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Herbert in Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.