JOHN P. FRIESEN

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JOHN P. FRIESEN
October 23, 1921 – November 29, 2022

John P. Friesen was born during a time of upheaval and unrest on October 23, 1921 in the village of Petershagen, Russia (now Ukraine), the second of eight children of Peter Friesen and Anna Thiessen.
As a young child, he benefitted from the food aid to Mennonites in Russia provided by Mennonite Central Committee. His father stated many times that MCC saved them from starvation. John became a lifelong supporter of the work of MCC, volunteering for the organization and supporting them financially.
In 1924, the young family moved to Canada and eventually settled along the Assiniboine River in the Marquette area, where John attended Allarie School until grade 8. He spent nearly 50 years farming with his brothers, and they were all known for their hard work, self-sufficiency, and ingenuity.
He was baptized at Pigeon Lake Mennonite Church on May 25, 1942. Believing that Christians should not kill others, he became a conscientious objector during the Second World War, spending two years in alternative service working at a dairy farm. He returned to school in his mid-20s, earning a high school diploma from MBCI in 1950, and then graduating with a degree in theology from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now CMU) in 1953. He moved to Mexico after graduation to work in the Mennonite colonies as a teacher and minister, and soon after met Mary Giesbrecht. The couple married in Winnipeg on August 27, 1955 and returned to Mexico, where four of their seven children were born. Three more children were born after the family moved back to Manitoba in 1960, where John returned to farming and worked for several years as manager of Camp Assiniboia. In retirement, he volunteered at the MCC thrift shops on Sargent and Selkirk, where he was known as the guy who could repair anything. He gave up his volunteer work and his driver's license at the age of 95.
John's Christian faith was central to his life and he instilled those values into his children. He was a true and faithful servant and this quiet steadfastness was appreciated by his circle of friends and family. He was active in church life at Charleswood Mennonite and later Bethel Mennonite.
He loved connecting with his large and growing clan at family birthdays and holidays. He was generous with his children, assisting them in buying their first homes and then offering to renovate and repair them. After retirement from farming at age 65, he and Mary travelled extensively, visiting China, Israel and countries in South America and Europe. He spent many happy hours in the woodworking shop at Bethel Place, where they lived for 17 years. Two years ago, facing health limitations, John and Mary moved into the home of their granddaughter Nicole, where they received wonderful care, and much joy in living with great-grandchildren Chloe and Caleb.
John P. Friesen is survived by his wife Mary, six children: Calvin (Bev), Waldo (Donna), Milton (Janice), Albert, Darcy (Pauline) and Anita, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, his brother Rudy (Frieda), sister Anne, and sisters-in-law Laura, Margaret, Annie and Mary Pauls Giesbrecht. He was predeceased by daughter Linda, grandson Jonathon, brothers Peter, David, Nick and sisters Katie and Luise.
A Service of Celebration will take place 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, at Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford St., Winnipeg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the relief work of Mennonite Central Committee www.mcccanada.ca.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2022