CORNELIUS N. FRIESEN

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CORNELIUS N. FRIESEN 1922 - 2010 Sadly, we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather on December 26, 2010 at the Victoria Hospital at the age of 88 years. CN, as he was commonly known, leaves to mourn Laura, his beloved wife of 67 years, children Gloria Dyck (and John), Gordon (and friend Nita), Linda Matwichuk, Iris Keen (and David) and Wilma Johnson (and Don), ten grandchildren and their four spouses, four great-grandchildren, two sisters and two sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his parents, two step-mothers, a daughter-in-law, six siblings and six in-laws. Dad was born to Anna Gerbrandt and Abram D. Friesen on March 26, 1922 in the town of Altona, MB. He spent his childhood and youth in Altona and briefly in Altbergthal, attending the Altona School as well as the Rhineland Agricultural Institute. He was baptized in the Altona Bergthaler Church on the confession of his faith in 1943. As a young man, Dad served as a Conscientious Objector during the Second World War. He married his sweetheart Laura Klassen, of the village of Altona, on August 29, 1943. They moved to Reinland in 1947 where CN managed the Co-op Store, and then to Altona in 1950. He joined his father in an insurance, real estate and para-legal business and they worked together in this enterprise till 1961 and he independently until 1968. Five children were born to them and there was always time for family activities, such as vacations, concerts and cottaging. Dad was one of the first in southern Manitoba in 1949 / 1950 to coordinate what would become Mennonite Disaster Service and he remained an active MDS volunteer until earlier this year. He was also active in music, the Gideons and the work of the local and larger church. Mom and Dad made a major decision to sell their business and leave Altona in 1968, and begin what would become 30 plus years of Christian service. This included, in Minneapolis, being house parents to alternative service young adults during the Vietnam War and developing a vocational school and work release program for inmates of Minneapolis City Jail; in Winnipeg under M.C.C. first developing Grosvenor Place, an alternative sentencing group home for first-time offenders, then Open Circle, a prison ministry active to this day, and then developing and managing the construction of Bethel Place; in Abbotsford co-directing with Mom Ten Thousand Villages and developing and managing the construction of M.C.C. Plaza. They were active in Altona Bergthaler Church, Minneapolis Faith Mennonite, Bethel Mennonite and Olivet and Emmanuel Mennonite Churches (Abbotsford). Dad and Mom had a full, varied, creative and blessed life of family, work and service together, lives that they leave as a legacy to their family and others. Retirement came in 2000, when Mom and Dad decided to move back to Manitoba, Bethel Place and Bethel Mennonite. Dad passed away December 26 surrounded by family after suffering a stroke three days earlier. We wish to thank Dr. Sharkey for all his years of dedicated care, all the nurses and staff on 4 North, and the support of their care group, pastors, Bethel Place staff and fellow residents, other care givers and many friends. A time of visitation and viewing will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Street at Carter Avenue at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29 and the funeral service will also be held at Bethel Mennonite Church at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30 (family committal service prior to the service). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in CN's memory to Mennonite Disaster Service or Mennonite Central Committee. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 30, 2010