Friesen, Henry C. (1892-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Jul 23p. 8

Birth date: 1892 Jul 19

text of obituary:

Newton and Vicinity

Funeral services for Henry C. Friesen, 77, long-time resident of the Buhler community, were held Saturday forenoon at the Buhler Mennonite Church, with Rev. Harold D. Thieszen officiating. Mr. Friesen died July 15 at a Haven nursing home after a long illness. He married Martha Voth at Buhler in 1923, and she survives with their two sons, Roland, a missionary to Japan under the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade, and Paul, missionary to Peru under the Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions and Services. Roland had come home on furlough a few weeks ago, while Paul, his wife and four of their five children had left just one week before his father's death for another term of service at Pucallpa, Peru. The Henry C. Friesen's daughter, Mrs. Shelton (Arline) Allen, deceased, also was a missionary to Japan and Rev. Allen is still serving there. Also surviving are three brothers, Rev. Karl Friesen of North Newton, Adolph of Goshen, Ind., and Rev. C. B. Friesen of Hesston; one sister, Mrs. J. K. Froese of Buhler; and 15 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Aug 20 p. 11

text of obituary:

HENRY C. FRIESEN

Henry C. Friesen, son of C. H. and Helena (Schmidt) Friesen, was born on July 19, 1892 at Goessel, Kan. In 1902 the family moved to the farm southeast of Buhler where he received his elementary education at the Lily Dale School and attended the Hoffnungsau Preparatory School. He also attended Bethel College for one year.

He was baptized in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church on May 29, 1910, by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff. He was married to Frieda Brandt on Aug. 3, 1919. She died on July 21, 1920. On Nov. 7, 1923, he was united in marriage to Martha Voth and together they lived on the farm until 1964 when they moved to Buhler.

His concern for spiritual things was evidenced in many ways. He regularly led in both morning and evening family worship. he depended on the Lord in time of crisis. In 1930 when he lost his left hand in a silage cutter accident he wrote in his diary, "My only consolation was that 'All things work together for good to them that love God.' If I could only love Him more—He will eventually keep His promise." God did keep His promise.

His failing memory was a burden to him since 1968 when he began noticeably to decline. In February 1970, he suffered a high fever which hospitalized him. He never returned to his home but needed total care which he received at Colonial Manor, Haven, Kan. Even here, though weak in body and mind, he evidenced a firm faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Those preceeding him in death were his first wife, Frieda and their infant daughter; his daughter Arline, an infant granddaughter, and his brother Peter.

He leaves his widow, Martha; two sons: Roland and his wife Jean, missionaries in Japan; Paul and his wife Maurine, missionaries in Peru; Arline's husband, Shelton Allen and family, missionaries in Okinawa; 15 grandchildren; three brothers, Karl, Adolf, and Cornelius; and one sister, Mrs. J. K. Froese.