Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 12:00 a.m.
Classens, Chris
Chris Classens passed away suddenly at home at the age of 68.
Chris Classens passed away suddenly at home at the age of 68.
He is survived by Charlene and their four children, Graham (Tanya), Erin (Ben), Megan (Kye), Gail (Cait) and his grandpets: Lewis, Harvey, Lola, Boomer, Lucy, Paris and Milo. Chris also leaves behind his family in the Netherlands which includes his siblings (Jan (Diny), Jeu, Nellie (Eric), and Anny (Albert)) and his nieces and nephews (Marja (Koen), her children Lisa, Siem and Imke, Sanna (Chris), Niels (Dianne), his child Daaf, Edwin, Mark, Melanie (Floris), her child Annelina, Richard (Saskia), his children Javi and Elin, Patrick, and Pascal (Celine)).
He is also survived by his in-laws: Doreen Trapp, Delaine (Ed), Shannon (Randy), Wendy (Rod), Robert, David (Cheryl), Veronica, Cheryl, Jody (Barry), and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, Martinus and Maria, his brother, Joost, and sister, Truus, of the Netherlands as well as his in-laws Lloyd Trapp, John Trapp and Jessica Trapp.
Chris was born in Venray, Limburg, however, he grew up on a farm in the district of Moostdijk, Ysselsteyn. In 1974, he received a Mechanical Engineering Degree. After which, he served one year in the Dutch army before he immigrated to Canada in 1976. He first immigrated to Ontario before he moved to Alberta, where he worked on local farms in the Coaldale area. In 1989, he and Charlene purchased their first farm in Taber where they would raise their 4 children. In 2003, they moved to Coaldale where Chris pursued his calling and became a realtor with Real Estate Centre where he worked with his good friend and business partner, Blaine Gross.
Chris brightened the lives of all who knew him and loved to celebrate the little victories whether it was an Oiler's hockey game, Formula 1 race, or his children's achievements. Chris was known for his laid back attitude, great sense of humor, generosity, and his dedication to his family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all. PROOST!
The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation for all the thoughts, prayers, and many other acts of kindness shown during this difficult time.
A private service will be held on Saturday, March 20th, 2021, at 11:00 AM. The service will be livestreamed and available via Chris's obituary on the Cornerstone website.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HALO Air Ambulance (https://www.halorescue.ca/index.php/joomla) or STARS Air Ambulance (https://stars.ca/ways-to-donate/ab/) in memory of Chris.
Guestbook (44)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Chris.
Condolence from us he did a lot for us special before we came to Alberta Canada Jaap Corrie and Peter Kodde
So sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our prayers.
Our heartfelt condolences with the sudden passing away of Chris. We will keep him in our prayers, and a mass will be said in memory of Chris.
Charlene, please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about Chris' passing. He was a great, kind, proud Dutchman. All my sympathies and thoughts to the Classens clan.
Our Condolances to Charlene, children, and doughters and sons in Law. I knew Chris for a long time already, we were real good friends and passed a part of our yought together, also with his brother Jan. Later as a young farmer I went to Canada to Vauxhall where I worked on several farms during the spring and summer of 1969. After I returned to our home farm in The Netherlands my Brother Wout and Chris wanted to have the same experiences like me, and went also to Canada, to discover new opportunities and experience new adventures. My Broter Wout returned also to The Netherlands, Chris decided to stay in Alberta and started his farm with my younger Brother Frans. After Frans went to the USA and later on to Vancouver Chris continued farming and later on, got into the Real Estate. It is very sad to lose a good friend with such shared memories. And I still have a good feeling about the fact that I more or les paved the way for him to Alberta. I wish family, colleagues and friends much strength to deal with, and accept, the loss of Chris.
I'm so sorry to hear of Chris' passing. My condolences to all of the Classens and Trapp Families. Clancy, Cynthia Holthe and family.
May he rest in peace. In the 70ties we used to get together for Sunday lunch. After Flore and I closed the restaurant I did even some farm work for him for a short period. Condolences to his wife Charlene all their children and grandchildren
Dear Charlene and family I was so saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Chris. My/our memories of our get togethers back in the day are still memories I hold dear to my heart. I am sending you and your family my deepest sympathies and hope that your wonderful memories of the life you shared together will in time, heal your broken hearts. Barb McDonald (Lommerts)
My sincere condoleances to all of you. I have fond memories of Chris. He was a friend of my brothers and used to come to our place quite often. We, my brothers, Chris, my sister and I used to go out together in the weekend and I remember having to drive them all home at 5.30 in the morning, I being the only one still sober. One year he was our Sinterklaas and he was quite good at giving as a lecture on what we had done 'wrong' in the past year. I remember him having an old Volkswagen, a Beetle from which he took the engine , put it in our rowing boat and then we went and we sailed on the river Maas like that. I also visited my brother Frans in Coaldale who ran the farm together with Chris several times and spent time also with Chris obviously. He was a fun guy and I am very sorry that he passed. I will remember him fondly as he was part of the gang during the time we were all growing up together and venturing out into the world. Warmest wishes to you all and strenght in the time to come. Catharine Hermans, Amsterdam.
Our sincere condolences to Chris's family. We have fond memories of attending trade shows in Red Deer & Regina with Chris & looked forward to spending time with him. He was a character. What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.
Dear family Classens, We want to share our condolences, we wish you all a lot of strength and comfort. We hope that you can seek comfort within the family. Kind Regards, cousin Mart and his wife Bep Geerets.
We are truly saddened by the sudden loss of such a beloved father, husband and friend. Our condolences to all of you. I will always remember his fun and carefree spirit and his contagious laugh. What a special man!
I am deeply sadden to hear about Chris's passing and please accept my deepest condolences. Chris was a bright light in our lives, and his spirit and laugher will forever shine in our memories. Wishing you all peace and strength.
n laatste groet van een oude buurjongen
Very sorry to hear of Chris passing my deepest condolences to the family
Erin & Family, Our condolences on your loss. He will be greatly missed, and will always be remembered as kind, caring and having a great sense of humor.
Chris's passing has shocked and deeply saddened us. We are at a loss for words during this sorrowful time, but please know that we are thinking of you and hoping for peace and comfort in the days to come. It was a privilege to have known Chris; he will truly be missed. Rest in peace, Chris
Dear Charlene and (grand)children, hereby our sincere condolences with the sudden loss of your dear husband and (grand)father and our dear colleague, business partner and friend Chris !! We are looking at Chris's picture in the obituary, and that's exactly how we will always remember him, relaxed, with a good laugh. Chris was a great partner in our brokerage and he leaves a big empty place, not only in your family, but also at Real Estate Centre. We will miss him!! We can't believe how he is so suddenly gone. But he is gone. We wish you all much strength in dealing with this big loss! Charlene and children, may God be with you, now and always! Many thanks also to you as a family for all that you have done for our business over the years. Please know that it was and is much appreciated! Sincerely, Real Estate Centre team
So sorry for your loss. It was never a bad day when we got to spend time with Chris.
Heel veel sterkte gewenst met het overlijden van Chris voor nu en in de toekomst
We are very saddened to hear of Chris' passing. Our thoughts are with all of you kids. We are here if you need anything. He will be missed.
Gecondoleerd , Met het verlies van Chris ,ik heb hem altijd in gedachten gehad als sympathieke man. Veel sterkte voor nu en in de komende tijd. Nicht Joke van Cuijck
Beste familie, Ik wens jullie heel veel sterkte met dit plotselinge verlies van Chris. Put samen de kracht van de mooie herinneringen die jullie samen met Chris hebben gehad. Chris was een lieve aardige man. Ik heb er ook nog mooie herinneringen van . Lieve groet, Paulien Brauer.
Our deepest sympathies during this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss, and our hearts go out to your families.
Shocker to hear of the sudden passing of Chris. May the peace and grace from Jesus be upon Charlene and family. We all lost a great friend.
Van harte gecondoleerd met het overlijden van Chris We kennen hem als een fijne vent. Jammer genoeg is hij veel te vroeg overleden.
Dear Charlene and Family. Dear Chris' family in the Netherlands, (Jan-Dien, sister and children), I am very saddened to hear about Chris' so sudden death, and I wish to send you my sincere condolences with this great loss of your husband, your father, your brother(in-law) and friend. Chris was an old friend with whom I share a lot of memories- his heart was big and generous, and Chris was always there to help and ready to adventure into something new. I wish you Charlene, and all of Chris' family, strength and support during these difficult days, weeks and months to come. R.I.P. Chris and thank you for your time we've spend together in beautiful Canada. Kind regards, May May Hermans UK
Charlene, Graham, Erin, Megan and Gail, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Chris was not only a realtor and business partner but also a dear friend to all of us. He will leave a huge void at the office. Our condolences to all of you. On behalf of all of us at Real Estate Centre
We are very saddened to hear about Chris' passing. Our thoughts are with Charlene, Graham, Erin, Megan and Gail. We're so sorry for your loss.
We didn't know him well but we do know he was a friend. He will be missed by many. Condolences to his family. RIP Chris
Our sincere condolences with the sudden passing away of Chris. I genuinely enjoyed working with Chris. He was always willing to help and always good to be around with. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during these difficult times.
Charlene, We were shocked and saddened to here of Chris's passing. We're hoping you find some way to cope during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and children. We will always remember Chris's laugh and smile and cherish the memories we have of him. Deepest condolences from our family to yours.
I'm so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Chris. He was an amazing person to all who knew him and he will be certainly be missed. My Sincerest Condolences
To Charlene and family, May we offer our deepest sympathies on your loss. This was so sudden and sad, our hearts and prayers go out to you all. May you find comfort in all the precious memories you have. Sincerely, John and Kelly
Our thoughts are with you and all your family at this time. RIP Chris
We are very saddened that the Classens family has lost their patriarch. We knew Chris both as a friend and also as someone we had dealth with on a professional basis on land dealings. We appreciated his honesty and friendly personality. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. Please accept our deepest condolences. Lawrence and Willie Barany - Chin Ridge Farms
Erin. We were very sad to hear about your dad's sudden passing. What a terrible shock for you and all your family. We did not know your dad but it sounds like he was a great guy. We are thinking of you all while you mourn the loss of your dad. Msy your memories bring you comfort to help you thru. Sincerely Beth and Randy Quan.
My deepest condolences Charlene and your family
Our condolences to you and your family on your loss.
Charlene so very sad to hear that your dear Chris has passed. Our memories of him are vast...but his beautiful big smile and happy nature is how we will remember him. Our condolences to you and your children.
Text...Dear Erin, Ben and Classens family, We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. Erin, know that we are there for you and Ben at any time and hope you are able to find strength during this very challenging time. Krista and Jeff
So very sorry to hear that Chris passed away, in our younger years we hung out together, one trip was White Water rafting, very good memories Our deepest sympathy
Chris has been instrumental in the succes we had before and after we emigrated to Canada. Being from Ysselsteyn, same town as us, and as a good friend he will forever have a special place in our hearts and we wish his family members strength and courage to deal with this unbelievable loss.