MARGARET FRIESEN

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MARGARET FRIESEN Our mother wrote the story of her life, not in a book, but in the lives of those she touched. She wrote it especially in the sense of self-worth she fostered in her children and grandchildren, in the knowledge that they were loved unconditionally. And she wrote it in her commitment to family and friends, to her community and to her faith. Margaret Friesen, wife of John Friesen (deceased), passed peacefully after a lengthy illness on Friday, June 21, the first day of summer, a fitting day for a woman who loved everything beautiful, especially her gardens. Margaret was born May 2, 1925 in Waldheim, Russia to Franz and Maria Regehr, one of eventually nine siblings including a twin brother, Henry. She is survived by her youngest sister, Hilda Regehr; her children, Ken (Marge), Patricia Fenske (Albert), Robert (Marnie Strath), Leonard (Donna), Janice Buckingham (Darrell); her grandchildren, Timothy Friesen (Iliana), Shannon Haskett, Brad Moore, Jillian Curtis (Grant), Meghan MacKay, David Friesen (Corinne), Kate Fenske (Liam Martin), Nicholas Friesen (Jen Zoratti), Andrew Fenske, Lauren Friesen, Victoria, Jonathan and Robert Buckingham; as well as nine great-grand-children, and many nieces and nephews all of whom she loved dearly. Margaret began life in Waldheim, Province of Tavria, South Russia near the Sea of Asov. Life was difficult following the Revolution and in the fall of 1926 the family sailed to Canada and eventually settled in southern Manitoba on a farm near Niverville. The Depression years were also difficult and Margaret left school after grade eight to work and help out. This was a serious loss for Margaret who loved learning and had always wished she could become a teacher. At the age of 18 she met and soon married John Friesen on October 8, 1943. Margaret was a constant support, raising five children, and taking in boarders and sewing to help with costs. During these years her days were seldom over before midnight, but she managed to attend community and church events volunteering her time as she could, even working in the kitchens at Camp Arnes while her children enjoyed camp. In later years when the family became more successful, it was Margaret who organized extended family gatherings and reunions; who, through her church, spearheaded a family sponsorship of Laotian refugees, and who volunteered in many a church sponsored event. Her faith was much of what made her the woman she was: a loving, caring and giving sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her home became a haven for many, not just her children and grandchildren. All were greeted with a smile, a hug and offers of "tea". She taught us about giving, about commitment, and about courage. With children grown she would yearn to travel and see the world. She spent her 60th birthday in Paris and always remembered fondly her experiences abroad, including a visit to her birthplace. In her later years, restricted now to a wheelchair, she would even venture on a cruise to Alaska. She was fascinated all her life with seeing new places and meeting new people. She found personal joy in creating beautiful things. She began with exterior gardens filled with various rocks she had collected and striking flowers. And when her exterior gardens became too difficult to manage she moved to indoor gardens and created beautiful quilts for all her children and grandchildren. Although her final years were spent first in a wheelchair and then bedridden, she continued to envelop others in her warm smile and gentle ways. The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to her caregivers, especially Julie, Valerie, Karen, Crystal, Espie, Martina and Carly, and to her palliative nurses, Harriet and Olga, all of whom gave us the security of knowing our mother and grandmother was cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually, and by a special few, even loved. A memorial service will be held to honour and celebrate the life of Margaret Friesen, a woman whose story will live on in the lives of all who loved her and were loved by her. Service will be held Thursday, June 27 at 1:00 p.m. in Portage Ave. Church, 1420 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Interment will occur prior to the service for family and extended family. Those who wish may honour her memory with a donation to MCC, an organization to which she donated many items made with her own hands for the welfare of others. "Who can find a virtuous woman? She has more value than the price of rubies."
Publish Date: Jun 26, 2013

MARGARET FRIESEN Our mother wrote the story of her life, not in a book, but in the lives of those she touched. She wrote it especially in the sense of self-worth she fostered in her children and grandchildren, in the knowledge that they were loved unconditionally. And she wrote it in her commitment to family and friends, to her community and to her faith. Margaret Friesen, wife of John Friesen (deceased), passed peacefully after a lengthy illness on Friday, June 21, the first day of summer, a fitting day for a woman who loved everything beautiful, especially her gardens. Margaret was born May 2, 1925 in Waldheim, Russia to Franz and Maria Regehr, one of eventually nine siblings including a twin brother, Henry. She is survived by her youngest sister, Hilda Regehr; her children, Ken (Marge), Patricia Fenske (Albert), Robert (Marnie Strath), Leonard (Donna), Janice Buckingham (Darrell); her grandchildren, Timothy Friesen (Iliana), Shannon Haskett, Jillian Curtis (Grant), David Friesen (Corinne), Kate Fenske (Liam Martin), Nicholas Friesen (Jen Zoratti), Andrew Fenske, Lauren Friesen, Victoria, Jonathan and Robert Buckingham; as well as five great- grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews all of whom she loved dearly. Margaret began life in Waldheim, Province of Tavria, South Russia near the Sea of Asov. Life was difficult following the Revolution and in the fall of 1926 the family sailed to Canada and eventually settled in southern Manitoba on a farm near Niverville. The Depression years were also difficult and Margaret left school after grade eight to work and help out. This was a serious loss for Margaret who loved learning and had always wished she could become a teacher. At the age of 18 she met and soon married John Friesen on October 8, 1943. Margaret was a constant support, raising five children, and taking in boarders and sewing to help with costs. During these years her days were seldom over before midnight, but she managed to attend community and church events volunteering her time as she could, even working in the kitchens at Camp Arnes while her children enjoyed camp. In later years when the family became more successful, it was Margaret who organized extended family gatherings and reunions; who, through her church, spearheaded a family sponsorship of Laotian refugees, and who volunteered in many a church sponsored event. Her faith was much of what made her the woman she was: a loving, caring and giving sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her home became a haven for many, not just her children and grandchildren. All were greeted with a smile, a hug and offers of "tea". She taught us about giving, about commitment, and about courage. With children grown she would yearn to travel and see the world. She spent her 60th birthday in Paris and always remembered fondly her experiences abroad, including a visit to her birthplace. In her later years, restricted now to a wheelchair, she would even venture on a cruise to Alaska. She was fascinated all her life with seeing new places and meeting new people. She found personal joy in creating beautiful things. She began with exterior gardens filled with various rocks she had collected and striking flowers. And when her exterior gardens became too difficult to manage she moved to indoor gardens and created beautiful quilts for all her children and grandchildren. Although her final years were spent first in a wheelchair and then bedridden, she continued to envelop others in her warm smile and gentle ways. The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to her caregivers, especially Julie, Valerie, Karen, Crystal, Espie, Martina and Carly, and to her palliative nurses, Harriet and Olga, all of whom gave us the security of knowing our mother and grandmother was cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually, and by a special few, even loved. A memorial service will be held to honour and celebrate the life of Margaret Friesen, a woman whose story will live on in the lives of all who loved her and were loved by her. Service will be held Thursday, June 27 at 1:00 p.m. in Portage Ave. Church, 1420 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Interment will occur prior to the service for family and extended family. Those who wish may honour her memory with a donation to MCC, an organization to which she donated many items made with her own hands for the welfare of others. "Who can find a virtuous woman? She has more value than the price of rubies." Friends Funeral Service 204-339-5555
Publish Date: Jun 25, 2013

MARGARET FRIESEN Margaret Friesen passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2013. Funeral arrangements pending. Full obituary to follow. Friends Funeral Service 204-339-5555
Publish Date: Jun 22, 2013
Publish Date: Jun 25, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 26, 2013