CORNELIUS J. FRIESEN

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CORNELIUS J. FRIESEN With great sadness we announce the unexpected passing, of a dear husband, dad, and grandpa, Corneliius J Friesen, on July 29, 2011, at the Altona Health Care Centre. CJ is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marge, and four children, Alan (Tara), Dennis (Angela), Sharon, (Glen), and Colleen, along with grandchildren, Justin (Daphne), Carissa (John), Jason, Melanie (Stephan), Brandi, Scott (Kendra), Cody, Colby, Nicole, and Louis. He was predeceased by one son-in-law, Larry, in 2001. Dad, who was born September 22, 1928, grew up in the Lowe Farm area, and together with his brothers, helped in operating the family farm, when his father ministered at CO camps in Manitoba and British Columbia. In 1948, Dad poured concrete during the construction of Coop Vegetable Oils, and ultimately was employed by CVO and CSP Foods for 43 years. Despite a grade seven education, through great effort, he achieved the rank of Power Engineer, First Class. CJ paid back his hometown of Altona in a variety of ways, including serving as a member of the Optimist Club, selling tickets at the Maroons games, board member of the Altona Youth Drop-In Centre, and assisting with the annual packing of hampers of the Rhineland Empty Stocking fund until he was 80. He also served as usher, Boys league leader, and in numerous committees in the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church, where Dad married the love of his life, Margaret Toews on July 11, 1954. Dad's love of reading was extensive and varied, with particular enjoyment of biographies, history, and politics, especially if it dealt with his lifetime political party, The Liberals. Dad also had a lifelong love affair with fishing, that seldom paid dividends, but created great memories for the children and grandchildren in places like, Lake Nipigon, Paint Lake, Red River, Dominion City Dam, Rock Lake, and more recently at Crow Duck Lake, where he caught his limit as recently as last year. Mom and the family thank the compassionate doctors and nurses at Concordia Hospital, and Altona Health Care Centre, where Dad passed away peacefully, holding the hand of his bride of 57 years. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on August 2, at the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Donations are gratefully accepted for Blue Sky Opportunities, and the Rhineland Empty Stocking Fund.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2011