DAVID FRIESEN

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DAVID FRIESEN, Q.C. Peacefully, on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at the Victoria General Hospital, Dr. David Friesen passed away at the age of 95 after a long active life. David will be lovingly remembered by his dear wife of 64 years, Katherine Friesen, (nee Loewen), son Robert Friesen, and his wife Barbara, and their children, Kira (Ashley) Sage, Kyle and Corey Friesen of Calgary; Ruth Hastings and her husband Brian and their children, Lisa (Kevin) Van, Treena (Don) White, of Winnipeg, and Tyler Hastings of Calgary, Victoria Docherty and her husband Robert and her child Tyson Brooks of Vancouver, Teresa McCrea and her husband Daniel, and their children, Shaun and Michael McCrea of Edmonton, and eight dear great-grandchildren. David was born in the Ukraine November 16, 1911. He moved with his parents and siblings to Winnipeg in 1924. In 1926 the Friesen family moved to Carmen, Manitoba where David completed grade 8-11. He took Grade 12 at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute. He then worked his way up to become a manager of a grocery store chain on Osborne Street. In 1934, he returned to University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law, where he graduated with an LL.B degree. David was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1941 and received Queen's Counsel in 1956. David was a strong believer in continuing education. He attended the University of Minnesota, and received his M.Sc, (Bus. Admin.) in 1963, his H.S.G. licentiate (Bus. Admin.) in 1968, Ph.D. (Economics and Bus. Admin.) in 1973. The last two degrees were taken in St. Gallen, Switzerland. He received an honorary LL.D from the University of Winnipeg. In 1951, David and Katherine founded Qualico Developments Canada Ltd., and were both very active in the business for many years, providing shelter for many thousands of people in western Canada. David was baptized in the First Mennonite Church and has been a lifetime member of the church. He was a member of the Christian Businessman's Committee. David was also active in the founding of the Mennonite Benevolent Society, and was its president for many years. He and Katherine founded Autumn House Inc., a senior citizen home; Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary School, Menno Simons Christian School in Calgary, Alberta and were the founders of the Chair of Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg. He was a founding member of the Crosstown Credit Union. He was past president of the Manitoba Home Builders Association, the president of the German Canadian Business and Professional Associations of Manitoba. David was a member of Winnipeg Planning Committee, Manitoba Bar Association, and the Canadian Bar Association. Funeral Services will be held at the First Mennonite Church, Alverstone and Notre Dame, on April 19, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. John R. Friesen officiating. Friends may view at Klassen Funeral Home, April 18, from 7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. and also prior to the service. If friends desire, donations may be made to the Menno Simons College Foundation, 210-520 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 0G2. The family would like to thank the staff at the Victoria Hospital for their gracious care of David in his short stay at the hospital. In you, O Lord, I put my trust. Psalm 71:1 Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2007