VIVIAN GRACE FRIESEN

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VIVIAN GRACE FRIESEN (nee SIEMENS) Vivian Grace Friesen (Siemens) died peacefully on September 8, 2016 at Extendicare Oakview Place Personal Care Home in Winnipeg at the age of 91 years. Vivian was born on September 20, 1924 in Altona, Manitoba to Jacob Gerhard Siemens and Eva (Braun) Siemens. She and her younger brother Bennett were close friends until he predeceased her in 2005. Her sister Ivy Irene died in infancy. Vivian enjoyed growing up in southern Manitoba and the many connections she made there were important to her for her entire life. After she graduated from high school in Altona, Vivian followed in her beloved dad's footsteps and attended Normal School for a year to be trained as a teacher. Her first teaching job in a rural one-room school was enough for her to decide her career interests lay elsewhere. Ever curious and open to adventure, the big city beckoned and Vivian moved to Winnipeg in the 1940s as a young single woman. She trained to become a dental assistant and although she was very devoted to her job, she seized the opportunity to work as a seamstress at the Banff Springs Hotel for a summer. She would fondly tell stories about living and working in the hotel, where she came into contact with many people of all kinds. She also remained friends with her former coworkers. Vivian returned to Manitoba to be closer to her family. She met her future husband Henry Friesen and they married in 1957. The family story is that they met while he was in a dental chair and he flashed his famous smile at her. Vivian moved to Henry's grain farm west of St. Francois Xavier, had three children and took on the multiple duties of motherhood, farm work and work outside the home with the strong work ethic she learned from her teacher/farmer father. Vivian was always intensely interested in the outside world and was up to speed on news and current affairs. Politics was a life-long passion and she loved being engaged in policy debates and campaigns for issues she cared about. She became involved in the local school board, was a meticulous census-taker and registered voters for Elections Canada. She was a proud citizen who believed in doing her part to make Canada a better, stronger country. Vivian's adventurous spirit and love of travel remained throughout her life, as she took many trips to London and New York into her 80s. She was devoted to her immediate and extended family and was always quick to reach out and help anyone in need. She was predeceased by her husband Henry in 2014. Vivian is lovingly remembered by her son Jared Friesen of Elie, Manitoba, daughters Julie Friesen of Brooklyn, New York and Dawna Friesen of Vancouver, along with her grandchildren, Dashiell Friesen and Rainer Nguyen-Friesen of Brooklyn and Lucas Friesen of Vancouver. They had all gathered to be near her during her final days. She's also fondly remembered by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Altona Town Cemetery (located at the corner of 4th Ave. NE and 6th Street NE) followed by a gathering for coffee and memories at 2:30 p.m. at the Altona United Church, 45 3 Avenue NW, Altona. All are welcome at both. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, www.alzheimer.mb.ca Wiebe Funeral Home Altona In care of arrangements www.wiebefhaltona.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 13, 2016