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Cottonwood County Farm Family

Klassen Family

The Klassen family farm was established in 1941 when Frank and Adelaine purchased the farm on July 5, 1941. During their time on the farm, they raised four children: Joyce (Klassen) Smith,  Loren Klassen, Carol (Klassen) Carlson and Arlen Klassen.

Throughout the years, Frank and Adeline raised crops and some livestock. In the beginning, they had milk cows, chickens and feeder pigs. They enjoyed 40 years on the farm before moving to town.

On May 5, 1981, Frank and Adeline's son Arlen and his wife, Cindy, took over the farm. Together, they raised their four children: Trista (Klassen) Schuette, Tyler Klassen, Jason Klassen and Alyssa (Klassen) DeFrance. The '80s and '90s were challenging years for the Klassens. The farm wouldn't be here today without the help of family, friends and great landlords. Arlen, Tyler, and Arlen's older brother, Loren, farm together, sharing equipment. They raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Arlen and Tyler had a cow-calf herd together until recently when Arlen sold his portion off to Tyler. When they expanded their herd, they organized rotational grazing on the farm.

Throughout the years of living on the farm, Arlen served on various boards. He served on the church board, cattleman's board, the local co-op board and Farm Bureau board. Cindy spent her time tending to the garden, raising their kids, delivering countless meals, helping transport the guys from field to field and spending lots of time with their five grandkids: Collin, Lincoln, Josie, Hayden and Sully. Arlen and Cindy have enjoyed 42 years on the farm.

Tyler, Katya and their son, Hayden, plan to buy the Klassen farm to continue making great memories with the family and to pass it on to the next generation when the time comes. Tyler farms full-time, and Katya works in town as a bookkeeper for her family's farm operation. Tyler served on the cattleman's board for six years. Together, they enjoy traveling and spending time with their one-year-old son. They feel honored and excited to continue with the family farm for years to come.

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