Friesen, Wilson (1904-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jul 8 p. 3

Birth date: 1904 Apr 22

Great sorrow came to the Corn, Okla. community when seven persons, all residents or former residents there, lost their lives in the flood waters which covered Highway 66 near Hydro the evening of June 22.

The car carrying the group of four adults and four children became stalled in the rapidly rising waters. They tried to wade out of the danger area, but found it necessary to take refuge in a parked car, and only the husband and father of the one family, Harvey Friesen, escaped when several sudden waves covered the car. Those who died were Harvey's wife and three children; his sister, Mrs. Edgar Rogolsky and son; and his brother, Wilson Friesen.

A mass funeral for the seven victims was held at the Mennonite Brethren church at Corn on Sunday afternoon, June 27, with an estimated 3,000 persons in attendance. The obituaries follow.

text of obituary:

WILSON FRIESEN

Wilson Friesen, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Friesen, was born April 22, 1904, at Weatherford, Oklahoma, and went to be with the Lord on June 22, 1948, as a result of a flash flood east of Hydro on Highway 66, reaching an age of 44 years and two months.

At an early age he realized his lost and undone condition. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized and accepted into the Corn M. B. church June 16, 1918.

He was quiet by nature and didn't say much, but his life revealed his true God-fearing character. He left a Christian influence wherever he went.

Wilson was an active church member from his very acceptance into the Church. Serving was his delight, and he exercised it to both God and man. He contributed bountifully, both in means and in life to all phases of Christian activity. The cause of Christ was a burden on his heart and he responded as he was able.

Gospel singing was a great joy to him. He would always avail himself of some religious program, either over the radio or in some audience. He also extended his services to his fellowman.

He was especially mindful of his parents and family. Wilson was ever ready to help and in this way was of great service to his dear brothers and sisters as well as to the parents.

All his life he was not too healthy, suffering from slight ailments. In an accident on April 24, 1941, he broke his leg and was hospitalized for six weeks. Six more weeks he spent at home recovering. He suffered much but with the Lord at his side he never complained, accepting everything as for the good from God.

His education consisted of elementary schooling at Weatherford, and beyond grade school he attended Corn Bible School for a few months.

In 1906, when he was two years old, he lost his mother. On Jan. 1, 1908, he received another mother. He is preceded in death by his brother, Ervin, who also drowned. He was accompanied in death by his sister Lucille and her little boy, his sister-in-law, Mrs. Harvey Friesen and her three children, and leaves to mourn him his parents: three brothers, Albert, Harvey, and Paul; four sisters, Lillie, Alice, Tillie, and Ruby; four brothers-in-law, and four sisters-in-law, many relatives and friends who sorrow but not as such that have no hope.

Wilson prayed for all the family and in a special way for his sister Lillie, His last words were, "Tell all the family good-by, we will meet in Heaven."