Friesen, Jacob V. (1890-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Jan 14 p. 3

Birth date: 1890

text of obituary:

Prominent Hillsboro Businessman Dies

Hillsboro, Kan. — Funeral services for J. V. Friesen, 75, well-known retired businessman and civic leader here, were held at the First Mennonite Church where he was long an active member. He died on New Yeear's day after being hospitalized about four months.

Mr. Friesen and his wife, the former Renetta Helen Schultz, operated the Home Furnishing Store here for 30 years before retirement in 1956. Mrs. Friesen formerly was a faculty member at Tabor College.

Active in public life here, Mr. Friesen served for 16 years on the city council and for eight years as mayor of Hillsboro. He had an important part in establishing the municipal power plant here. He also served one term as a representative in the Kansas legislature. He was active in civic groups and served on the board of the Salem Hospital.

Before founding the furniture store here he was a school superintendent and taught at Lawrence High School. He attended Bethel College for three years, received the A. B. degree from the University of Kansas, and did graduate work in law at the university and also at Colorado University.

Surviving in addition to his wife is one daughter, Mrs. Wesley (Louise) Loewen.

The Mennonite obituary: 1965 Jan 26 p. 58