Obituary of Otto J. Klassen

Otto J. Klassen, 79, was a long time resident of the Town of Wappinger passed away on April 3, 2018 at home. He was born on June 1, 1938 in Woitzel/Pommern, Germany to the late Wilhelmine (Hooge) and August Klassen. He immigrated to the United States in 1951 and returned to Germany while serving in the U.S. Army 160th Signal Group. While stationed in Germany he played soccer representing the United States. Otto was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962 and he settled in the Town of Wappinger and continued playing soccer with Germania of Poughkeepsie Blue and White Soccer Club for many years. In 1980 he was named to the Honor Roll in the Dutchess County Soccer Hall of Fame. Otto was a loyal NY Giants fan and along with his friends attended several Super Bowls. Otto and his father, August, were active in the Building and Development business and Otto was President of Klassen Builders, Inc. who built many custom homes in the Hudson Valley. On July 25, 1964 at Holy Trinity Church in Arlington, Otto married Gertrud Braun who survives at home. Together they enjoyed traveling to various tropical islands and traveling cross country visiting friends along the way. Most of all Otto was proud of his children and grandchildren, taking them to many ball games and cheering them on in many of their own activities. In addition to his loving wife of 54 years, Otto is survived by his children, Patricia Johnston and her husband Steve of Poughkeepsie, NY; Gertrude Patello and her husband Michael of Richland, WA; and John Klassen and his wife Barbara of Saugerties, NY. He was proud to be called Opa by Sabrina and Brandon Johnston, Emma, Andy and Aaron Patello and Lauren and Nicholas DeBonis. He is survived by his cousins Marlena and Ed Hurta, Anne and Harry Voigt of Canada and his cousins Edward and Emmi Klassen of Germany. His family also included Brigitte Braun, Patricia and Karl Garnadt of Germany and the Sheppard family of Wappingers Falls. The family would like to thank all of Otto and Gertrud's friends for their unending support and friendship and their Wednesday visits. Family will receive their friends on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will follow visitation at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Disease Support Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley (PDSGMHV) PO Box 304, Lagrangeville, NY 12540 or Germania of Poughkeepsie at 37 Old Degarmo Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.