BERNHARD (BEN) FRIESEN

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BERNHARD (BEN) FRIESEN

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Bernhard (Ben) Friesen in Penticton, BC on January 25, 2021.
Ben is survived by his loving wife Nea; son Glen (Richmond, BC); daughter Karen (Mike) Rourke of Bethany, MB; two grandchildren: Jennifer Rourke and Shaun Rourke; great-grandsons: Preston and Payton Ball; brother John; sisters: Helen Wendland and Anne Laird, and other extended family. He was predeceased by his first wife Helen (Nault) in 1997, brothers: Peter, Eddy, Jake, Dave and Henry, and sisters: Susan, Martha and Mary.
Ben was born in Halbstadt, MB on August 21, 1933 and in 1958 moved to Stony Mountain, MB and in 1984 moved to Winnipeg. Ben worked on construction since 1951 starting with one room country schools and then in his early years becoming construction supervisor on multi storey high rise buildings in the Winnipeg area including the Courts of St. James complex, Towers of Polo Park, 101 Marion St., Quail Ridge apartment complex and many more. He later worked for Champs Foods as construction supervisor under the Mother Tucker's chain of restaurants. At age 60 he found that work was interfering too much with his golfing so he took a part time job doing building maintenance for Gunn's Bakery in Winnipeg.
Ben moved to Penticton, BC in 2001 and married Nea Maxwell in August 2003. Ben and Nea enjoyed wonderful years of happy marriage. They both loved to golf and travel in their motorhome exploring Alaska, the Yukon, western Canada, Ontario/Quebec and Arizona and enjoyed many trips on son Glen's boat in the coastal waters of BC and the Gulf Islands. Ben will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humour, honesty, integrity and his strong Christian Faith.
Due to COVID a memorial service will be held at a late date in Penticton.
The family wish to thank Dr. David Dutchman, and the doctors and nurses on the Oncology, ICU and Medical wards at Penticton Regional Hospital for their compassionate care.

Condolences / memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.everdenrust.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2021