Friesen, Lena Siemens (1904-1928)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1928 Oct 10 p. 7

Birth date: 1904 Apr 17

Mrs. Lena Friesen.

Mrs. Lena Friesen was born on the 17th day of April, 1904, near Buhler, Kansas, as the 8th child of John A. and Anna Siemens under whose protecting care she spent her early childhood days. After their death, more than ten years ago, she made her home with her older sisters and brothers.

On June 30th, 1918, she was baptized on the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ by Rev. Abraham martens, Elder of the Hebron Mennonite church. On the 10th day of May 1922 she was jointd [sic] in marriage to Mr. Theodore Friesen, with whom she lived happily the short period of six years and four months.

About five years ago Mr. and Mrs. Friesen made their home in Hillsboro, Kansas, where both of them attended Tabor College in preparation for larger service. Soon after their arrival, Mrs. Friesen suffered an attack of influenza which necessitated medical aid frequently.

Near the end of August of this year she took sick quite seriously and was taken to the Bethel Hospital at Newton, Kansas. Although her condition was critical, she seemed to be on the way of recovery after the birth of a little daughter, Nuna Lee, on the 7th day of September. But this improvement was only of short duration. Her old ailment had developed into chronic paralysis of the cardiac muscles, and at times she suffered severe pains. After another short period of relief her condition again became acute on Friday the 21st of this month. Knowing that her end was near, she arranged for her little daughter to be taken care of in the home of her sister, Anna. On Tuesday evening, the 25th she bade farewell to her brothers and sister and to her husband whom she had affirmed that her path was clear and the entry to the heavenly home open. Then she fell asleep and at 12:30 o'clock that night she passed away quietly at the age of twenty-four years, five months and eight days.

Mrs. Friesen always had a warm spot in her heart for the poor, the sick and especially for orphans because she had learned to know by personal experience what it means to be without father and mother. She leaves to mourn her early departure, he deeply-bereaved husband with the little daughter, Nuna Lee, six sisters, one brother, her stepmother, her husban's [sic] parents, two sisters and six brothers and many other relatives and friends. — Inman review.