Tabor College Learning In Retirement Program

Family historian, educator, and author, Dr. Dwight Klaassen, will present “Writing Family History: Importance and Strategies,” during a ‘Special Homecoming Edition’ of the Tabor College Learning in Retirement Program, beginning at 9:45 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9, in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.

Klaassen, a 1958 graduate of Tabor College who lives in Platteville, Wis., has written several family histories about his ancestors and will illustrate his how-to presentation with personal experiences.

Using a database system called GRANDMA (Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry) for which he has made numerous factual contributions, Klaassen compiled a history book for three sets of his great-grandparents (Klaassen, Jantzen, Friesen), with the book on his fourth set of great-grandparents (Buschman) now in process. He also has taken several Mennonite Historical Tours, including two trips to Ukraine and one each to Poland and the Netherlands, where his ancestors lived. His grandparents were all part of the Hillsboro community for a significant portion of their lives.

Klaassen retired in May 2000 after 36 years at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he taught chemistry and biochemistry and served in a variety of administrative posts, including Director of the Medical Technology Program, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Experiential Education, Assistant Chancellor for University Advancement, and Executive Director of the UW-Platteville Foundation. He received his doctorate in biochemistry from Kansas State University in 1965.

Among a variety of honors and awards, Klaassen received two major awards: The Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award, in 1995, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin System, and, the Distinguished Service Award for his significant service to the University, in 2007, sponsored by the UW-Platteville Foundation.

Klaassen is a native of Weatherford, Okla., and is married to Sharon (Jost) Klaassen, a Hillsboro native whom he met while he was a freshman at Tabor and she was a high school senior and church pianist at Gnadenau KMB Church, near Hillsboro. They have two sons living in Illinois, one son living in Louisiana, and five grandchildren.

The public is welcome to attend all Learning in Retirement programs. Fees are $3 per session or $15 per semester ($28 per couple). Registration and discount cards for lunch in the cafeteria will be available at the door during the half hour before the meeting. For more information, contact Connie Isaac, coordinator at 620-947-3121, 947-5964, or conniei@tabor.edu.

Note: Because of the presentation on Friday, Oct. 9, there will be no Learning in Retirement Program on Monday, Oct. 12.