MARIE FRIESEN (REIMER)

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MARIE FRIESEN (nee REIMER) This is the obitbulkloaduary of our dear mother, Marie Friesen. Mom passed away peacefully at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Tuesday morning, December 2, 2003 at the age of 87. She was born to Anna and Klass P L Reimer on June 23, 1916, in Fowler, Kansas. She was predeceased by her husband, Cornelius (CP) Friesen; her daughter Caroline Barkman; son David, son Albert; grandsons, Garry, Gregory, and Terrence Klassen; and great-granddaughter Hannah. Left to cherish her memory is her family, son-in-law Ben Barkman and his wife Phyllis, Harry and Levina; daughter-in-law Annie, daughter-in-law Hilda, Menno and Barb, Ron and Barb, Klass and Linda, Edna and Benjamin Klassen, John and Ann, Ted and Annie, and Cornie and Laura. She will be very much missed by her 45 grandchildren, their families, including 23 great-grandchildren, by her dear siblings, and many wonderful friends. Mom, along with her parents and family, moved from Kansas to Blumenhof, MB, when she was 19. Two years later, in 1937, Mom and Dad were married. Landmark was their home until they moved to Riverton in 1957. They loved their life in Riverton, but when it was no longer feasible for them to stay at their home place, they moved to Steinbach in 1998. Mother has always been a model to us. Yes, we acknowledge that she was not perfect; however, she lived a life of amazing harmony between what she believed and her everyday life. For Mom, life was for living. The love and affection she and Dad had for each other was, and will always continue to be, an inspiration for us. She loved her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Company always seemed welcome. She loved plants and gardening, and she loved the birds in the yard. In the course of her life, Mom did just an enormous amount of work. Raising eleven children meant a lot of food, laundry and housekeeping. Mom loved travelling, meeting new people, eating in different restaurants, trying new things. She showed interested in current events, and lately, she was reading more. No doubt it was Moms ranging interests and attention to detail that helped her stay so sharp and clear. Moms interests and activities were not ends in themselves; they were expressions of her faith in God and love for the people close to her. We all think of the nature of her relationships. Most of all, we recall Mom and Dads life together. Mom and Dad celebrated the companionship of marriage and they enjoyed it for 65 years plus. After Dad died in January, Mom missed him terribly. However, even in her loneliness, Mom rallied and carried on in new ways. We knew Mom as a very compassionate, sensitive, and empathetic mother. She was a good listener. Patience was a virtue of hers. Mom loved company, lived for company. She welcomed her children, grandchildren and friends, and invariably, the occasion was celebrated with food and coffee, and each visitor was made to feel special as Mom related uniquely to each. Mom was deeply grateful for the family and friends that helped her deal with her loneliness after Dad died. As Mom faced her illness, she did so in a spirit of fortitude based on an implicit faith and a godly life. God had not failed her in life, and He would not do so in death. Mom frequently thanked her home care workers at Woodhaven, her nurses and Dr. Ilchyna at Bethesda Hospital; now we the family echo Moms thanks. We are deeply impressed with and appreciate the kindness, respect and care you gave our Mom. A viewing and service will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach on Friday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m. at the Mennville EMC Church, Riverton; viewing prior to service. Interment at Mennville Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to: Birchwood Funeral Chapel 150 Penfeld Dr.; Steinbach, MB 1-888-454-1030 or 1-204-346-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2003