Friesen, Dietrich B. (1899-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Feb 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1899 Oct 23

text of obituary:

DIETRICH B. FRIESEN

Dietrich B. Friesen, the second of eight children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Eliesabeth [sic] Bartel) Friesen, was born in Harvey County, Kan. on Oct. 23, 1899, and passed away August 7, 1962, in the Epworth Hospital, Liberal, Kan. at the age of 62 years, 9 months and 15 days. He moved with his family to a homestead in the Adams, Okla. community in 1904 and had resided on and near this homestead since that time.

While attending a school of electricity in Chicago in 1924 he was converted, and was baptized on June 12, 1925, becoming a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. He was a member of the Adams M. B. Church at the time of his death.

He was married to Eva Franz on May 8, 1927, at Corn, Okla. His wife survives him and has faithfully cared to him through his long illness. Children left to honor his memory are Elden E. Friesen, Liberal, Kan.; Josephine, Mrs. James E. Mitchell, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Alforetta, Mrs. Leland Friesen, Liberal.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. A small daughter, Herwanna, passed away at the age of five years in July 1942. A small grandson, Michael Lynn Friesen, preceded him in death in June 1959. Three grandsons survive, along with two sons-in-law, James Mitchell and Leland Friesen, and the daughter-in-law, Ruby Blehm Friesen.

Survivors of his immediate family are four sisters, Elizabeth, Mrs. Dave W. Schroeder, Hooker, Okla.; Sarah, Mrs. Henry W. Schroeder, Fresno, Calif., Olga, Mrs. Jake F. Balzer, Hooker; Elma, Mrs. Herman A. Wiebe, Perryton, Texas; and two brothers, Jacob B. Friesen, Hooker, and Milton B. Friesen, Balko, Okla.

For the past four years Mr. Friesen and his wife were custodians of their church building. Ill health finally forced them to give up this work which they performed with devotion, believing that the house of the Lord commanded their best efforts. He was always a regular church attendant. Quiet, unassuming and of a retiring nature, he was content to let others go ahead of him, content to do the little tasks in church and in the community.

Other relatives and a large circle of friends grieve at his passing.