HENRY F. FRIESEN

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HENRY F. FRIESEN Henry F. Friesen, aged 87 years passed away suddenly on August 9, 2005 at St. Boniface Hospital. He will be greatly missed by his children, Rick (Kerry), Sandra, Shaun (Esther), Dane and Tracy; grandchildren, Kelli, Tammy, Natasha, Carl, Erika and Maureen; and great-grandchildren, Brittany, Devon and Samira. His passing is also greatly mourned by his siblings, Rhiney (Eira), Alvina Giesbrecht, Rita Watts (Keith) and many nieces and nephews. In addition, he will be missed by the Small, Vosper, Lindsey and Nicholson families. Henry was predeceased by brothers, Jake and Ed and sisters, Anne (Siemens), Mary (Braun), Margaret, Eve (Harder), Esther and Dorothea. Henry was born in Gretna, MB on September 28, 1917 to Jacob I. and Maria Friesen. He attended school in Gretna. After graduating from the Mennonite Collegiate Institute, he enrolled in a one year Normal School Program, which prepared him for his four year teaching career. During the transition time from his teaching career, he married Olga Bugera. The next years saw the birth of their children, Rick and Sandra, as well as the outbreak of the Second World War. Henry enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, which led him to several postings in Canada and eventually overseas in England. Like many young men of his time, the war had a fundamental impact on his identity and how he saw the world. Returning from the war, Henry entered into a business partnership with his brother Ed, taking over the operation of the Gretna Lumber Yard from their father. Tragedy struck in 1949 when Olga died in a car accident. in 1953 he married Laura Small. The family grew with the addition of Shaun, Dane and Tracy. He continued to run the Lumber Yard until the 1970s, when he closed the business and accepted the position as Secretary-Treasurer of the Rhineland School Division, where he worked until his retirement at age 65. Henry and Laura lived in Gretna until 1991, when they moved to Winnipeg. The move to Winnipeg was shrouded with health concerns, his aneurysm surgery and Laura's struggle with cancer, which ended in her death in June of 2000. After her death Henry drew the meaning and purpose of his life from his children, grandchildren, coffee group and special church friends. We thank all of the Fort Street family for the care and compassion they extended to him as his health declined and he fought to maintain his independence. Afternoon coffee, the rides to church, lunches and dinners out, made a huge difference in his life. We would also like to thank the home care workers who provided quality care as his health declined. The funeral service for Henry F. Friesen will be held Tuesday, August 16 the the Gretna Bergthaler Church with interment at the Gretna Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba/Ovarian Cancer Care. Wiebe Funeral Home Altona Ltd., 204-324-5404 in care of arrangements.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 14, 2005