BERT FRIESEN

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BERT FRIESEN 1943 - 2010 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bert Friesen on Monday, April 15, 2010 after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his loving wife Shirley (Elias) of 45 years, daughter, Leslie (Bob) Dunlop, son, Marlowe (Lori) Friesen and his beloved grandchildren, Lyrik, Raelyn, Lyam, Dillon and Riley. He is also survived by his brothers, John (Anne), Abe (Margaret), Peter (Rita), Harry (Helen), Isaac (Elma), Irvin (Sandra) and sister Helen (Abe Thiessen). He is predeceased by brothers, Jake and sister-in-law, Helen, Frank, (Mary) and sisters, Mary (Bill Enns), Tina (Isaac Penner) and Betty who died in early childhood. Bert was born on July 13, 1943 in Winkler, Manitoba the 12th child of 13 children to John M. and Helena Friesen. He grew up in Schanzenfeld, Manitoba and graduated from Winkler Collegiate in 1962. After completing a year of Teacher's College, he began his teaching career in a one-room school in the Pierce School District outside of Morden. In 1965, he married the love-of-his-life, Shirley Elias and moved to Winnipeg. He attained his Bachelor of Arts in 1970 from the University of Manitoba. A life-long educator, Bert spent 32 years as a teacher in the St. James School Division. He especially enjoyed his time at Golden Gate Junior High, where he spent 18 years. Bert's last 12 years were at Westwood Collegiate where he was an integral part of initiating the International Baccalaureate program which he enjoyed immensely. Bert took part in both his children's sporting activities to include coaching baseball, hockey, ringette, and soccer. Bert's love of sports and kids also included coaching many teams at the schools where he was teaching. One of Bert's biggest accomplishments was passing along his love for golf to his children. Bert's greatest golf moment occurred when he made a hole-in-one on the 16th hole at Breezy Bend. In his retirement, Bert's passions were his grandkids, golfing and travelling with Shirley. He and Shirley spent the last five years enjoying retirement on a golf course in Palm Springs. Bert was an avid fan of his grandkids sporting events and attended many hockey practices, games and swimming events. Bert will be greatly missed by his family, friends and many golfing buddies at Breezy Bend. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. at the Westwood Community Church located at 401 Westwood Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of Manitoba, 120 Donald Street or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation at 1160-675 McDermott Avenue. Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements, 325-4201 www.wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 17, 2010