Friesen, Abraham A. (1868-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 31 p. 9

Birth date: 1868 Nov 27

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM A. FRIESEN

Abraham A. Friesen was born in Russia on Nov. 27, 1868, and died at the Merced, Calif. hospital on Sunday evening, July 13, 1952.

In 1876 he migrated with his parents to America and they setteled [sic] in Minnesota. There he received a common school education and grew to manhood. There he also met and married Mary Enns on May 31, 1893. A few years later they felt led to go West, so they moved to Washington, where they lived for a few years, Later they moved to Idaho, where his wife died in 1918. They shared joys and sorrows for 25 years.

To this union 11 children were born, as follows: Abe E., John and Isaac Friesen of Winton, Calif., Katherine Baer, Frank R. Friesen and Elizabeth McClain of Idaho, Helen Koop and Bertha Munch of Los Angeles, George Friesen of Livingston, Calif., Mary Koop of San Francisco, and Anna Straubhaar of San Bruno, Calif.

A few years after the death of his wife he moved with the children who were still with him to California and in 1923 settled in the Winton area, later moving to Winton where they joined the Bethel Mennonite church. His second marriage was to Mrs. Elizabeth Fast, in 1939. They shared joys and sorrows for 13 years.

He is survived by his wife, who is very feeble and failing in health and could not be present at the funeral; his children, as mentioned above; 31 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Wiens of Winton; six step-children, Sarah Kingsland of Dinuba, Jake Fast of British Columbia, Elizabeth Snell of Merced, John Fast of Madera, and Mrs. Lena Marshall of San Francisco; and a host of relatives and friends.

He reached the age of 84 years, four months and 14 days. The last seven or eight months of his life were full of great trials and sorrows. They were spent in the hospitals of Reedley and Merced. These days were especially trying for him and his wife, as they were unable to help one another because of physical weakness. However, the Lord gave him much grace and patience, especially in the last three or four months so that he was willing to commit all unto Him who loved him. He often asked the Lord to take him Home.

Funeral services were held at the Merced funeral home, and burial was in Winton. Rev. J. P Glanzer officiated.