REV. FRANK HENRY (F.H.) FRIESEN - I

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

REV. FRANK HENRY (F.H.) FRIESEN 1902 - 2005 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course; I have kept the faith... Frank H. Friesen passed away to his eternal reward peacefully at the Tabor Home in Morden on August 8, 2005 at the age of 103. He was born to Heinrich and Anna Friesen (nee Fischer) on July 26, 1902 in a small village in the Kuban region of Russia, the second child in a family of five (three sisters and two brothers) all who have predeceased him. A stepsister, Schurra lives in Germany. Because of increasing political and economic turmoil in the region, he alone in his family chose to immigrate to Canada in 1924. After a brief period in Ontario, he settled in Manitoba and took theological studies at the Winkler Bible School for several years. In 1929, he married Agnes Unger and moved to Morden where they lived for the remainder of their lives. They were blessed with five children, all boys; the first of whom died shortly after birth. Agnes died in 1974 of leukemia. And now he will be greatly missed by his four sons and their spouses, Frank, David (Elsie), Henry (Joyce) and John (Ingrid); 12 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Growing up in Morden was a happy life for us. While dad was often busy with his work, he had a way of encouraging each of us to pursue our dreams. At the same time, he had a profound influence in shaping our core values, usually by example rather than by words. In 1975, Dad and Tina Reimer (nee Duerksen) were married and lived happily in Morden until Tina passed away in 1996. Tina had four sons and one daughter from her first marriage: David (Esther), Bert (Evelyn), Neil (Margaret), Alvin (Frances) and Irene (Howard), all who mourn the passing of their stepfather. In 1929, Frank was employed at a flour mill, JP Riediger in Morden. Later he established his own gas and oil business. Subsequently, he and John Wiens became partners in developing Morden Lumber and Fuel as a very successful enterprise. The relationship between the two was built on friendship and trust and proved to be an enduring one. But it also served as a means to an end - freeing up Dad for service in his community. Dad or FH as he was affectionately known to many had a profound commitment to his faith and his community. Those values were expressed in all aspects of his life and his family. For 24 years, he provided ministry leadership as an ordained minister of the M.B. Church of Morden (Westside Community Church). His leadership and wisdom were sought on Boards of church conferences and educational institutions provincially and nationally. Missions and service were tightly coupled in his mind and he led by example. The local community benefited many times from his efforts. A notable example is when he spearheaded the development of a senior citizens' home to care for the elderly long before it became fashionable to do so. As a result, the Tabor Home was established in Morden. And so it seemed only right that as the wheel of life turned that Dad would spend his last nine years in the very home whose development he championed. The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to all the staff of the Tabor Home who provided Dad with such wonderful care and support in his twilight years. Public viewing will be from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10 at Wiebe Funeral Chapel 1050 Thornhill St., Morden. The funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, August 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Westside Community Church in Morden with the Rev. Russ Toews officiating. Interment will follow at Southside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tabor Home Memorial Fund, 230 9th St. South, Morden, MB R6M 1Y3 or Mennonite Brethren Missions Services International, 1310 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 3Z6. Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden In care of arrangements, 822-4755 www.wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 10, 2005