BEATRICE AGNES FRIESEN

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BEATRICE AGNES FRIESEN (nee BERGSTRESSER) Beatrice Friesen slipped into the arms of Jesus on July 2, 2015, at the age of 82, while surrounded by her loving family. Our mother was born on August 6, 1932 in Frobisher, SK to Adina and Robert Bergstresser. She had two brothers, Paul (Francis) Bergstresser, Harry (Emily) Bergstresser, and one sister, Irma (Milton) Kelm. Mom was raised in the town of Morris. She learned to play the piano at age 12, and it continued to be a lifetime passion. She was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Morris, and was baptized at the age of 13. Her faith became the cornerstone of everything she would become. She graduated from high school, and attended Success Business College in Winnipeg. Once this was completed, she worked for the Bank of Montreal in Morris. She married Nelson Edel in 1953 and moved out to the farm. Their first son Bobby was born in 1954 and was followed by Cindy, Bonnie and Grant. They were struck with an early tragedy in July 1958. Bobby died at the age of four, from a farming accident, and this was a time of great grief for the family. They knew their God was faithful, and He sustained them. In November 1962, Nelson died in a farming accident at the age of 28, and Beatrice was left with three small children. Her family, along with her mother and sister, helped her through this time as she moved to Winnipeg. She eventually moved back to Morris as a single parent, and worked at the Bank of Montreal. She met Ralph Molderink five years later, after his wife had died of cancer, and he was left with three children of his own - Lynne (13), Ralph (11) and Harvey (8). God brought this family together in a time when blended families were very uncommon. They, however, became trailblazers and moved to Martensville, SK to begin this new journey. Her husband Ralph passed away in January 2003, and she remarried a year later, to Allen Friesen of Langham, SK. She enjoyed almost six years with him before he passed away of cancer. Mom cared for her husbands till the end, and did it with beauty. Paradise Village and Meadowood Manor were two places Mom enjoyed living. These communities were kind and inclusive. She quickly found her place playing piano wherever they needed her. Many thanks to Pastor Dave and Darlene Holland for caring, visiting, singing and praying with Mom. Mom will be greatly missed by her children Lynne (David) Edwards and son Daniel of Bakersfield, CA; son Ralph Molderink Jr. of Ste. Anne, MB; daughter Cindy (Andy) Vanderveen and children Jesse (Sarah) Vanderveen, Brett Vanderveen, Robin (Ian) Bergsma, Gillian (Brian) Whitehead and Brock Vanderveen of Carman, MB; son Harvey (Vanessa) Molderink of Illinois; daughter Bonnie (Ralph) Mueller and children Christian, Kelsey, Elan and Breanna of Winnipeg; son Grant Edel and children Joe and Marie-anne of Ste. Anne, MB; eight great-grandchildren; sister Irma (Milton) Kelm of Winnipeg, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by parents Robert and Adina Bergstresser, brothers Paul and Harry Bergstresser, husbands Nelson Edel, Ralph Molderink and Allen Friesen, and son Bobby Edel. The funeral will be held at Whyte Ridge Baptist Church on Friday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meadowood Manitoba Foundation Inc. We would like to thank the staff at Riverview on 3 East, Palliative Care. Special thanks goes to the staff who tenderly cared for our mom. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2015