Marvin Brian Klassen Obituary
Marvin Brian Klassen passed away on April 30, 2025, at the age of 60. Marvin was born in Vanderhoof, BC, the third child of Neil and Laura Klassen.
Marvin graduated high school in 1982, attended Columbia Bible College for two years, and graduated from Trinity Western University in 1991 with his Bachelor's in Psychology and Sociology.
Since his early teen years, Marvin worked. He began at the Vanderhoof Coop at the age of 14; he joined the Vanderhoof Volunteer Firefighters at age 16; and he worked for St John's Ambulance on his summer breaks from school. In the summers of 1988 through 1990, he managed quality control on Highway 97C, the Okanagan Connector, for Martens Paving.
In August 1990, Marvin married Rozella Schmidt. They lived in Abbotsford for 10 years and then moved to Yarrow.
Marvin's career was in public service. From 1991 until 2023, he worked with the Ministry of Children and Family Development in many different roles.
At home after work, Marvin enjoyed woodworking – a love inherited from his father – and many of us have been the beneficiaries of his projects. He also liked kayaking, especially on beautiful Cultus Lake.
One of Marvin's great loves was serving his Northview Community Church family as an elder and as a small group leader. He was very sociable and excelled at hospitality. His and Rozella's dining room table was large and well-used.
Marvin took his responsibilities as a son and brother very seriously, faithfully caring for his parents and his sister, Evelyn.
Marvin will be greatly missed by his wife, Rozella; his children: Denika [Hunter] Forseth, Trystan [Diana], Marcus [Sierra], Kierstan; and his precious granddaughter, Daisy. He will also be missed by his sisters Kay [Lawrence] McAllister, and Evelyn, as well as his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; his nieces and nephews; his uncles, aunts and cousins; and all who have known him in Vanderhoof and in the Fraser Valley.
We would like to thank all those who cared for Marvin since his cancer diagnosis: the staff at the Royal Columbian Hospital, Chilliwack Home Health, ARH Cancer Centre, and Holmberg House Hospice. We are deeply appreciative of friends and colleagues who cared for us through prayer, visits, meals and financial support.
Donations can be made in Marvin's honour to International Justice Mission (IJM): International Justice Mission | End Modern Slavery for Good.
