Friesen, William

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Nov 15 p. 25

Birth date: 1926 Dec 21

text of obituary:

WILLIAM FRIESEN</>

William (Bill) Friesen passed away Oct. 1. He was born Dec. 21,1926 to Dietrich and Ann Friesen in Provost, Alta. Life on the farm was hard. The family moved to Saskatchewan, then to Yarrow, B.C when he was 10. At Yarrow MB Church, he determined to serve God and was baptized at 16. After 2 years at Bible school and 1 year at MB Bible College, he earned an M.Ed. from the University of British Columbia. He taught and was princi- pal at Sharon Collegiate for 6 years and taught public school for 14 years, then went into home construction until retirement. He married Annie Kaethler Sept. 10, 1950. They had a happy home, and the family shared many happy holidays. He served the church many hours a week, teaching Sunday school for many years, serving on church boards and donating a year to oversee the construc- tion of Central Heights seniors' manor. He was a founding member of Columbia Bible Camp, where he served many evenings and weekends in physical work and leadership roles. Cancer was diagnosed 12 years ago; he fought it with all his might, living 9 years longer than doctors expected. During this time, he experienced a renewed sense of God's love and care and strengthened fami- ly relationships. Predeceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by Annie; children Wilbert, Valery Neufeldt, Bruce, and Lorne; 13 grand- children; 3 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Oct. 4 in Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C