Elizabeth Friesen

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The Life Story of
ELIZABETH (Brandt) FRIESEN
April 2, 1921 - January 18, 2017

You might not have guessed it to look at our mother in her later years – after all, she celebrated her 95th birthday last spring – but she raised six sons and eight daughters and loved them and all their spouses and children and their children – “all the same!” She taught, encouraged and prayed daily for them to love God and each other.

Our mom, Elizabeth, arrived on April 2, 1921, to Cornelius W. and Katherina P. Brandt – third youngest in a family of twelve. She grew up on a mixed farm in Blumenort, Manitoba, and attended the one-room Blumenort School. When fire destroyed their house and barn the fall after she turned ten, Mom was impacted to “want to always live for the Lord.” Her father died when she was twelve. The summer she was seventeen, she was baptized.

Mom and Dad (David D. Friesen of Morris) first noticed each other “across the church” at a Jugendferien (Youth Meeting). It didn’t take long before they extended invitations to their wedding. They made their commitment to God and each other on May 4, 1941.

Cornelius arrived within a year, followed quickly by Annie, Allan, Abe, Doris, Ruben, Susie, Henry, and Katherine, all in 16 years. In 1958, our parents moved their growing family to a new homestead Dad had built north of Riverton, Manitoba. Margaret was born three months later and in the next eleven years, Betty, Evelyn, Lorna, and Roy completed the family. Life was full. God and His Truths were treasured and taught by word and action. Mom and Dad lived what they taught.

When her devoted David became ill with cancer and died a year later in September 1972, Mom was left in charge of a young family and a large mixed farm. She sang and she worked and called on God again and again. She faced adversity with determination and a simple, strong trust.

She buried two daughters, Susie and Doris, two daughters-in-law, Adina and Norma, and a son-in-law, David, and opened her arms and her home to her motherless grandchildren. Her faith became stronger and she drew closer. Her oft repeated family motto deepened – “The best gift you can give me is when I see you love God and each other.” She led by selfless example.

She found great joy in serving others – making soup for the sick, quilts for new babies, blankets for refugees, and meals for school classes, youth groups, family and friends. She brought in those who needed help, love and encouragement and offered hope.

When she turned 70, Mom moved off the farm to the apartments beside the church. She continued to garden and piece together beautiful quilts and shared baking and bags of fresh produce. This continued until she had a series of strokes when she was 87. The loss of much of her independence changed her life drastically.

This is when Lorna and her family asked Ruben to add an extension suite to the original farmhouse so Mom could come live with them. Here she loved and was loved and cared for by those having learned from her selfless example. She prayed that she would never have to move again, except to Heaven, and so did the rest of us. God answered our prayers and came for her as we sang and prayed around her bed on Wednesday, January 18.

Mom loved us so much. She loved God and His Work so much. She was our family anchor, our Matriarch. We miss her, but not as those who have no hope. We will see her again!

Mom, you were an amazing woman, clothed with strength and dignity, speaking words of wisdom and instruction, watching over your household, one who feared the Lord. Your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – all 173 of us! – arise and call you blessed.

The funeral service was held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Mennville EMC Church, North of Riverton, MB, with the interment at the church cemetery.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Jan 31, 2017