The farming community in Newton, Kansas is in shock after a tragic accident on Saturday, February 21, when a man was killed in a grain bin accident while working with two co-workers. Mark Klassen, 37, was one of three people working to flatten and empty soybeans inside a large grain bin on South Spencer Road when the contents unexpectedly shifted, trapping him.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 2:30 pm, but despite efforts to save him, Claassen was pronounced dead at the scene. His death has been ruled an accident, and while the other two men managed to escape to safety, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers involved in farming.
Klassen, a beloved member of his community, is survived by his wife, Christy Harder, and their four children: Dayton, 9, Carly, 7, Amy, 5, and Breanne, 3. He is also survived by his parents, Dallas and Gerry, and his three brothers, Brad, Derrick and Corey. His family described him as a man who cared deeply for his loved ones and was a pillar of his local church, Emmaus Church, where he served as chairman of the board of trustees and head of the security team.
Beyond his family and church, Clasen was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Newton Township Board and the Soil Conservation District. “His heart was in farming,” his obituary reads, reflecting his lifelong passion for agriculture and the land.
Grain bin accidents, although rare, remain one of the deadliest hazards in American farming, with grain entanglements resulting in several deaths each year. According to Purdue University’s Agricultural Confined Space Incident Summary, there have been 16 deaths due to grain entanglement in 2023, and 22 deaths have already occurred in 2024. Agricultural experts stress that these incidents are often preventable, underscoring the need for safety measures and awareness in the industry.
As the community mourns the passing of Mark Klassen, family, friends and neighbors continue to reflect on his legacy – not only as a devoted father and husband but as a man who gave back to his community and lived his life with purpose. His untimely demise is a blow to the hearts of all who knew him.