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JOHN FRIESEN Obituary pic

JOHN FRIESEN

Born: Nov 30, 1922

Date of Passing: Mar 07, 2012

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JOHN FRIESEN John Friesen, Dealer Principal of Landau Ford Lincoln for the past 35 years, passed peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital Wednesday, March 7, 2012. He was 89 years of age. A memorial service will be held to honour and celebrate the man they called The Chief , a man who lived his dream and loved those who journeyed with him. Service will be held Thursday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the Portage Avenue Church, 1420 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Interment will occur prior to the service for family and extended family. Those who wish to, may honour his memory with a donation to M.C.C., an organization dear to John's heart. Go with God and be at peace in His will.
Publish Date: Mar 13, 2012

JOHN FRIESEN The man who believed in tomorrows achieved his final rest Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the age of 89. John Friesen, Dealer Principal of Landau Ford Lincoln for the past 35 years, passed peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital with his three sons at his side. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Margaret; children Ken (Marge), Patricia (Albert), Robert (Marnie), Leonard (Donna), Janice (Darrell); grandchildren Tim (Iliana), David (Corrine), Kate (Liam), Andrew, Shannon (Brad), Jillian (Grant), Meghan, Nick (Jen), Lauren, Victoria, Jonathon, Robbie; great-grandchildren Aaron, Grayson, Nash, Milla, Lennon, Lachlan, Sawyer and Piper; siblings Peter (Marilyn), Martha, Abe (Gerry), Jack (Marianne), Hank (Dianne), Vic (Heidi). He was predeceased by his parents, Johann and Helena Friesen; siblings Anne, Mary, Isaac, Elfrieda; and grandchildren Andrea and Claire. John was born November 30, 1922 in Gnadenheim, Siberia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling on a farm near LaSalle MB. Life on the farm was difficult and John had to leave school after grade 3 to help out. This was to be the extent of his formal education but his hard-earned knowledge, self-taught skills and personal drive took him to far greater heights. He left home at 17 to work for Erb's Transfer, Oak Bluff, but his dream was to own a Ford dealership. The road to that goal included owning several early autobody and service businesses, Johnnie's Service and Sanford Motors in Sanford, MB from the late 40s to early 50s; Corydon Motors, Winnipeg in the 60s, and finally his flagship and his dream, Landau Ford Lincoln, from 1977 to 2012. John was an eternal optimist who believed all things were possible; he believed it for himself, his children and grandchildren, and all those he encountered. He was a tenacious and committed man, believing that with hard work he could achieve all; a consummate salesperson and entrepreneur, a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. He gave generously to his church and his family, a man who lived his faith in his deeds. A memorial service will be held to honour and celebrate the man they called The Chief , a man who lived his dream and loved those who journeyed with him. Service will be held Thursday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the Portage Avenue Church, 1420 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Interment will occur prior to the service for family and extended family. Those who wish to, may honour his memory with a donation to MCC, an organization dear to John's heart. Go with God and be at peace in His will.
Publish Date: Mar 10, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2012

Condolences & Memories (10 entries)

  • I am saddened by the passing of John. He truly was a family man and in fact, he made me feel like I was part of a family working at Landau. John gave me my start in the auto industry and for that I am truly grateful. Rest in Peace John. - Posted by: Terry Spyropoulos (former employee) on: Mar 16, 2012

  • I first met Mr. Friesen when I was hired to be the part time lot man in 1979. I thought he was going to fire me one night when I hit his car with a motorcycle. He was more concerned about me and if I was okay. He said to me "Good thing you hit my car or you would have been killed in traffic on Empress or shopping in Polo Park". His caring attitude and concern allowed me to keep my job. To this day that story is talked about when I visit the dealership. Rest in peace Mr. Friesen. - Posted by: Colin Gilmore (past employee) on: Mar 15, 2012

  • Just found out Mr. Friesen passed away as I was away on vacation last week. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Friesen Family. - Posted by: Evelyn, Tom, Matt and Chris Hofer () on: Mar 14, 2012

  • I first met John at the Pancake House where I worked. He asked me to come work at Landau and I told him that once I had finished my course at RRCC that I would then put in an application for employment. As it turned out I spent 14 years working for and with John and I don't regret a single moment of it. John, may you rest in peace, you will be missed. - Posted by: Mary Ann Loeppky (past employee & friend) on: Mar 14, 2012

  • A father, a mentor, and an inspiration to all of us. I will always smile when I think of the Chief, he taught me so much about life.. He's sharing a crueller with God right now... Love you Chief - Posted by: Denis Fillion (employee...but more importantly a friend ) on: Mar 14, 2012

  • Your passion for your family, strength and wisdom in commerce, and internal optimism for life, was a take away for anyone who was fortunate enough to have ever shared a meal with you. I was fortunate to be one of those people. Rest in Peace..... - Posted by: Brian Danyluk (Friend of the Family) on: Mar 14, 2012

  • I enjoyed thirty years working for more so working with the CHIEF. He enjoyed a remarkable trait in which he could relate, converse and have a sincere interest in all customers. I often called him to put the finishing touch on a deal. Farmer, fisherman, Doctor, truck driver he would always find some common interest and everyone enjoyed meeting the CHIEF. For all his business savy he was a true salesman at heart. He taught me salesmanship and a lot about life. - Posted by: valerian sass charles (salesman) on: Mar 13, 2012

  • Mr. Friesen will be missed by all. In the 70s he was a regular customer at the Pancake House, where I worked weekends and summers. Mr. Friesen would treat 'his boys' to a pancake breakfast on Saturdays. His beaming smile and his joking manner will certainly be rememered by all. - Posted by: Helen Funk (Fonseca) (friend / acquaintance) on: Mar 13, 2012

  • Mr. Friesen was a long-time donor and friend of World Vision Canada. I had the pleasure of meeting him and Mrs. Friesen in 2005. Mr. and Mrs. Friesen were so very welcoming and friendly to me. I remember Mr. Friesen was very concerned about the car I was driving. Needless to say the following year I bought my next car from Landau and am still driving it today. I'm thankful to have had the pleasure of getting to know him. His joking and friendly nature will truly be missed. - Posted by: Nicole Hrehirchuk (Friend from World Vision Canada) on: Mar 12, 2012

  • A fun memory that I have of Uncle John was his coming to visit us at the Tourond store and then taking me for a ride in what I remember to be a 3-wheel Citreon. Although we did not get together a lot, I always enjoyed his jolly personality and the smile he always seemed to have on his face. - Posted by: Cal Regehr (nephew) on: Mar 11, 2012

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