GEORGE FRIESEN

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GEORGE FRIESEN Peacefully, our dearly beloved husband, father and grandpa passed away on March 22, 2008. Honouring his memory he leaves his loving wife, Margaret; three surviving children, Robert, Wesley, and Randall, and their families, including eight grandchildren (Kalynn, Rachel, Jared, Chantal, Juliette, Brendon, Shelley, and Jason). Also surviving are his sisters, Hedy Thiessen and Herta Dyck; his brothers, Rudy and Irwin, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He also leaves his Australian stepchildren (Rhonda Crawford, Joan Lewis, Bruce Broad and Diane Sparrow). He was predeceased by his first wife Marie-Anne (nee Becker) in 1997, his daughter Cheryl in 2004, his parents, his daughter-in-law Deirdre and his brother Arnold. George was born near St. Francois Xavier, Manitoba on December 11, 1926 and grew up in the Elm Creek, Pigeon Lake and Marquette areas where his family farmed. He attended local schools including Wingham and George Herbert. After graduating from M.C.I. in Gretna in 1946, he entered the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. He accepted an invitation from the Plant Science Department in 1950 to pursue his Master's degree, majoring in weed science. He continued his studies and obtained his PH.D. from Washington State University (Pullman, WA) in 1956. George was professor of weed science at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Agriculture until 1968 where he enjoyed success developing new weed control strategies. He was invited to speak at conferences around the world and earned the nickname weedy Friesen . His travels inspired him to serve in a third world country to assist in its agricultural development. He served many years in India, which adopted his 15 point program of research and technology transfer which would increase food production. At the top of the list was better weed control. He also served on other short term assignments in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Ukraine. George joined the Research Branch, Agriculture Canada in 1974 and served first at the Harrow Research Station, Ontario and at the Morden Research Station until his retirement in 1991. He owned a private consulting business to the agricultural industry on weed control until 2000, thus completing 50 years of weed research. George believed in giving back to the community. He was deeply involved and committed to many charitable and professional organizations, including honorary positions as President of the Weed Science Society; President, Manitoba Agronomists; Chair of the Canadian Expert Committee on Weeds; President, Campus Credit Union Society and Chairman of Christian Investors in Education. His volunteer and professional efforts were acknowledged with awards, among them the 1989 Excellence in Weed Science Research Award, the Outstanding Service Award by the International Weed Science Society and he was made a Fellow of the Weed Science Society of America in 1988. George was a dignified and dedicated family man who exemplified Christian values in everything he did. He enjoyed, encouraged and supported his family to grow in independence and in their own fields of endeavour. Some of his greatest joys were travelling and visiting with his children and grandchildren who lived in America and Australia. He loved the farm and lake country, and enjoyed finding the best saskatoon and blueberry picking spots every summer. That his children and grandchildren learned and shared these passions for the lake and the land will be one of his enduring legacies. The family extends a heartfelt thanks to all of George's health care providers, including the teams at CancerCare Manitoba, Grace Hospital, and Riverview. Viewing was held Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Good News Church, 2764 Ness Ave. from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Schoenfelder Mennonite Church, Pigeon Lake. If desired, donations may be made to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. Arrangements entrusted to KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 www.klassenfuneralhome.com Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2008