Jake N. Friesen

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JAKE N. FRIESEN
Jan. 22, 1940-May 23, 2019

Dad was born Jan. 22, 1940 to the late John T. and Justina Friesen. Raised on the family farm alongside his brothers and sister, they grew up and resided in the Grunthal area. He married Eleanor Driedger, the love of his life, on July 23, 1966 and they celebrated 43 years of marriage together. They started their life in Winnipeg but moved to Grunthal shortly after to start a hog farm. Dad soon realized he aspired a different path to support his family and started his own company, Friesen Roofing. Together they were blessed with four children, which kept them very busy while his company continued to grow. He spent 48 years running Friesen Roofing.

He had a passion for his community, serving as Ward 6 councillor in Hanover Municipality for several terms over the years. Another interest of Dad’s was to volunteer on the Grunthal Menno Home Board, which he did for almost 30 years of dedicated volunteer service.

Hockey was Dad’s favourite sport. He played on the Grunthal Old-timers and watched all the local teams through the years. His favourite player, of course, was sporting number 11 on his jersey. The love of the game led him to an active role on the Grunthal Arena Board for many years. Hobbies that Dad enjoyed included driving around in his truck and going for coffee in all restaurants in Southeast Manitoba, especially the local restaurants in Grunthal. He often spent hours tinkering with his Farmal A tractor, the exact same one his father John T. once owned and, of course, his skid steer. In reality, nothing was more important to Dad than his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchild.

Survived by his three children and their families, Connie (Mike) Gauthier, Jade (Dwayne) Penner (Austin), Kaelyn, Casie (Riley) MacCharles, Brooke; Glenn (Karen) Friesen, Sean, Kirsten, Kayla; Wendy Woycheshen, Loghan, Tanner. Many remaining Friesen and Driedger family members and friends also survive him and predeceased him.

His loving wife Ellie (Dec. 6, 2004) and his son Kurt (Aug. 21, 1981) predeceased him.

The memorial service will be held Monday, June 3, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Grunthal Bergthaler Church, 101 Southwood Ave, Grunthal, MB.

Donations in memory of Jake may be made to Grunthal Menno Home.

Arrangements by
Birchwood Funeral Chapel
1-204-346-1030 or
1-888-454-1030
www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.mb.ca

As published in The Carillon on May 29, 2019