Vera Friesen

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

VERA FRIESEN

If there was one word to describe the way Vera Friesen lived her life, it would be “fun”! She made the adventures with children, wherever they were with her, at tea parties, travelling, at feed industry conventions, family visits, pool parties or just plain doing work, into special times. She loved life and kids and both loved her back with memories made and etched into young minds forever. Mom, Grandma Vera or Auntie Vera stories all include “fun” in the tale.

Never one to accept “no” for an answer, she would just smile at store clerks or officials and eventually get her way while making friends with them – much to the dismay or embarrassment to those of us in attendance. She made things happen, turning gatherings into parties and took home the prize every time!

Vera Olive Smart was born on January 7th, 1925 in Keyes, Man to Florence Pettit and William Smart, immigrants to Canada after WW1 from Bury St. Edmonds, England. She grew up beside the railway tracks in many now defunct towns around rural Manitoba where her father was the section foreman for Canadian Pacific Railway.

As a young woman, she moved to Winnipeg with her sisters and worked in the China and Lost and Found departments of Eatons. It was here that she met her future husband, Peter H. Friesen, who had just returned from service as a Medic in England during WWII. They married on June 7, 1947 and made their home in Winnipeg. They moved their growing family to the Friesen family farm in New Bothwell, then Blumenhof and eventually Steinbach where they lived from 1963 until present. She was an English woman in a predominantly Mennonite community and unabashedly embraced those in her life with charm and warmth. Vera and Peter were lifelong members of the United Church of Canada where they brought their children up and also later attended the Grace Mennonite Church.

Vera ran her own business, Friesen Chick Sales, in conjunction with the family business of Eastman Feeds. As the business grew, she made lifelong friendships in the Hutterite and Ukrainian communities. She had boundless energy and devoted that to travelling, hosting childrens’ Christmas parties, Steinbach Arts’ Council pool parties, Red Hat Society luncheons and Come Smell the Flowers garden tours every summer. She spent her final years at Rest Haven Nursing Home in the loving care of the staff with constant visits from family & friends and passed peacefully on February 6, 2015 just after her 90th birthday party.

Vera is survived by her husband, Peter, of 67 years, her six children: Reg (Sylvia) of Cleveland, Ohio, Ron (Rhonda) of Steinbach, Kathryn (John Duggan) of New Westminster, BC, Carole Maureen of Calgary, Alberta, Douglas and Wayne (Jackie) of Winnipeg; 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her second son, Larry (Bonnie) of Brandon, was taken suddenly from Vera’s heart in 2010. Also mourning her passing are her surviving siblings: Betty Forbes of Portage La Prairie, Donnie Smart (Elsie) of Winnipeg, Audrey (Stan Pearse) of Dominion City and Barry Smart of Winkler. She was predeceased by her parents, her sisters: Muriel McNiel, Jean Kane, and Dorothy Smart; and her brother Allan Smart.

Vera left a legacy of love, generosity and fond memories to all who knew her.

The viewing will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. A viewing will also be held at the chapel prior to the service.

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Interment service will be held at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Vera may be made to the Steinbach Art’s Council, 304 Second Street, Steinbach, MB, R5G 0T7.

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

As published in The Carillon on Feb 10, 2015