Friesen, John (1909-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jan 11 p. 23

Birth date: 1909 Oct 20

text of obituary:

JOHN FRIESEN

John Friesen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Nov. 2. He was born Oct. 20, 1909 to John and Maria Friesen in Tiege, Sagradovka, Ukraine. His father was killed by bandits during the Russian Revolution. In school, he was taught atheism, but at home his mother encouraged him to believe in God. In 1928 he went to work in Kherson. He married Klavdia Golubowa. They had 3 children: Lidia in 1929 (who died in 1931), Vladimir in 1933 and Lidia in 1940. When World War II began, he had to enter the Russian army, but was captured by the Germans, who used him as a translator. In 1943 his family was sent to Germany. However, his wife and mother-in-law were arrested by the Soviets in 1946 and sent to Siberia. His children grew up in a home for children whose parents were in jail. After the war, he searched for his family in refugee camps, but only found his mother and sister. They immigrated to Paraguay. Here, he married widow Tina Wallmann and became a stepfather to her son Henry. John became a Christian; he and Tina were baptized and joined Neuland Mennonite Church. In 1960, the family moved to Winnipeg. They joined Sargent Ave. Mennonite Church. He worked as an orderly in a hospital. He received word that his family had survived in Russia, but was unable to bring them to Canada. Klavdia died in Russia. Tina died in 1982. In 1983 he moved to British Columbia, where he married Agnes Wiens. In 1992 they sponsored Lidia and her family as immigrants to Canada. His son chose to remain in Russia. John had his first stroke 6 years ago. He also had Parkinson's disease. He was hospitalized. In June 1999 he transferred to Menno Hospital. Predeceased by his first wife Klavdia and second wife Tina, he is mourned by Agnes; daughter Lidia Tchourilov; 2 granddaughters; 1 great-grandson; stepson Henry Wallmann; 4 step-grandchildren; and 3 step-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 8 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jay Neufeld and J. Tilitzky ministering.