Friesen, David W. (1879-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 31 p. 1

Birth date: 1879 Jun 12

text of obituary:

BUSINESS LEADER AT ALTONA, MANITOBA DIED MAY 19

Altona, Manitoba. — David W. Friesen, prominent business and church leader here and Altona postmaster from 1907 to 1950, died at the Winkler hospital on May 9 after a long illness. Funeral services were conducted at the Altona Bergthaler church May 23.

Mr. Friesen was the founder of the well-known publishing firm here which bore his name. He was also one of the founders of the Manitoba Mennonite Insurance, hich [sic] later became the Canadian Mennonite Mutual Insurance company, and served as secretary of this organization from 1922 to 1948.

He was active in the local Bergthaler church and for a number of years was treasurer of the General Conference mission board.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 31 p. 8

text of obituary:

DAVID W. FRIESEN

David W. Friesen, former Altona, Man. postmaster and businessman, died in the Winkler hospital Saturday, May 19, after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held from the Bergthaler Mennonite church, Altona, on Wednesday, May 23, at 2 p.m., with Bishop David Schulz officiating, assisted by Rev. H. J. Gerbrand. Interment will be in tona [sic Altona] cemetery.

Mr. Friesen was in his 72nd year, having been born on June 12, 1879, in the Village of Schoensee, southwest of Steinbach, Manitoba. He moved to the Altona district at the age of 14 with his stepparents, Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Bergmann, settling at Lichtfeld.

In 1900 he married Maria Kroeker, who died in 1907. That same year he married Mrs. Henry Striemer (nee Sarah Klippenstein). Seven children were born to them, of whom five survive. There were three children by Mr. Friesen’s first marriage, of whom two survive.

After teaching in a private school for several years, Mr. Friesen moved into town, establishing an implement business. On October 1, 1907, he was appointed postmaster, from which position he retired in January 1950. He was also agent for the Bell Telephone Co. and later the Manitoba Telephone System for a period of thirty-six years. He founded the publishing and stationery firm of D. W. Friesen & Sons Ltd., in which he was still actively associated at the time of his death.

He was also one of the founders of the Manitoba Mennonite Insurance serving as secretary of this organization from 1922 to 1948. This later became the Canadian Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co.

Mr. Friesen was active in church and social work, serving as deacon and treasurer of the local Bergthaler Mennonite church for over 38 years. For many years he was Canadian treasurer for the Foreign Mission Board of the General Conference of the Mennonite Church of North Rmerica [sic]. He took an active interest in Mennonite relief work, being in charge of the refugee clothng [sic] depot from 1923 to 1926.

During the course of his life he accumulated a large library on Mennonite history, literature and doctrine. His reference books and material was frequently made use of by various institutions and individuals.

Surviving are his widow and seven children: Henry, David, Theodore, Raymond, Sara (Mrs. D. H. Reimer), Ann (Mrs. Alfred Loewen), all of Altona; and John, Winnipeg. Also 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.