Friesen, Margareta Bergen (1888-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 Aug 06 p. 30

Birth date: 1888 Aug 07

text of obituary:

MARGARETA FRIESEN

Margareta Friesen was born on August 7, 1888, in Konteniusfeld, South Russia, to Bernard and Margareta Bergen. The family later moved to Ohrenburg to live in the village of Klubnikow. There she accepted Christ as her Saviour and was baptized and received into the MB Church at the age of 19.

On February 1, 1909 she was united in marriage to Franz Friesen with whom she shared joys and sorrows for 54 years, until God called him to his heavenly home on January 3, 1963, During these years, Margareta was a devoted wife and faithful helper in the Lord's service as minister and elder of the MB Church,

Margareta and Franz were blessed with six children: Helen (Mrs, Jacob Thiessen), Frank, Jacob, Bernard, Peter and Katie (Mrs. John Poettcker). Two sons predeceased her, Peter, in infancy, and Bernard, in an accident when he was 13 years old,

After their marriage they moved to Siberia. In 1925 they emigrated to Canada where they lived in various places in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Alberta, Concerning their sojourn in Canada she wrote, "The storms of life have been here also, but the Lord has always helped us through". In 1961 they came to Coaldale to retire, but after a few short years her husband was taken from her side.

Margareta found a new home in the Coaldale Home for the Aged, and spent her last years quietly waiting upon the Lord and serving others with little deeds of love, She passed away to be with the Lord on July 16, at the age of 82 years. Her steadfast faith in Christ and deep love for God's Word sustained and strengthened her in a special way during her last days.