DR. GEORGE J. FROESE

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DR. GEORGE J. FROESE 1922 - 2000 Our father Dr. George J. Froese, 77, passed away peacefully at Bethania Personal Care Home on Tuesday, September 26, 2000. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Anne and five children, Kathy (Wayne) Baerg of Winkler, John (Martha), Margaret (Bruce) Aikenhead, Tim (Karen) of Korea, Andy (Christy-Lee) 13 grandchildren, two brothers, one sister, plus a large extended family. He was predeceased by his son Danny in 1959. Dad was born in October 1922, the eighth child of Johann and Sara Froese. At the age of four, his family immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine, settling on a farm in Manitou. He was able to attend school until Grade 8, taking Grade 9 and 10 by correspondence. The Second World War found him working on the family farm for six years. At the age of 20, while attending Winkler Bible Institute, he made a decision to follow Jesus Christ. He then completed high school at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna at which time he met Anne Bergmann with whom he shared his calling to show Jesus love to people in a Third World country. His acceptance into medical school in 1948 was confirmation of his call. Dad and Mom married on September 3, 1950, and he graduated from medical school in 1952. In 1954 they sailed to India where they spent 13 years working under Mennonite Brethren Missions in two hospitals. They learned much about the culture they were now part of and were amazed with what could be done with so little medical equipment when God was there. In 1967 they returned to Canada and with his brother Bernard, he worked in the Northdale Medical Centre until his retirement in 1987. During the years in Canada, his interests in overseas service led him to short term assignments in India, Thailand and Nepal. Dad enjoyed being with family and friends, had an easy-going nature, a good sense of humour and led a life that was consistent with his faith in God. For more than three years, Dad has been lovingly cared for by the staff at Bethania Personal Care Home to which the family is deeply grateful. Viewing will take place Friday, September 29, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Klassen Funeral Chapel, 1897 Henderson Hwy., with a devotional at 7:15 p.m. A family interment will take place at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, Saturday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held at the Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, 1420 Portage Ave., on Saturday, September 30, at 4:30 p.m. For those that wish, opportunities will be available to make contributions to mission work in Korea and India. Arrangements entrusted to Klassen Funeral Chapel; 338-0331.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 30, 2000