Milton Arnold Claassen, 94, died April 16, 2026, at Kidron-Bethel Village Health Care in North Newton, Kan.

Born March 8, 1932, in Newton, Kan., to Carl and Elise (Regier) Claassen, Milton grew up on the family farm near Potwin. He attended a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Berean Academy in 1950 and Bethel College in 1954. Though a farmer at heart, he pursued medicine and earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas in 1958.

Milton was a dedicated orthopedic surgeon who spent his career serving the Newton community. Following his residency in Kansas City, he practiced at the Bethel Clinic and the Wichita Clinic. He retired in 2000.

In 1957, he began dating LaVonda Buller, a nursing student from Colby, Kan. They married on Aug. 22, 1958, in Mingo, Kan., and together raised four sons. Their shared faith led them to serve abroad, including at the Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan.

A man of many talents, Milton was an accomplished leatherworker and lifelong gardener who regularly donated fresh produce to the Salvation Army and Harvey County Homeless Shelter. He was deeply involved in his community through service to the M-2 Hutchinson Correctional Facility program, Mennonite Central Committee Newton Area Meat Canning, Mennonite Disaster Service and numerous choirs. He served on many boards, including Bethel College, Newton Medical Center, Kauffman Museum and the General Conference Mennonite Church Commission on Overseas Mission.

He is survived by his sons, Dale (Ann), Kendall (Carol), Craig (Ronda Henson) and Bruce (Amy) Claassen; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonda; sister Virginia and siblings-in-law Gloria Goossen and Gary Pryor.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. June 13 at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton.