Friesen, Jacob W. (1883-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 24 p. 9

Birth date: 1883 Dec 14

text of obituary:

JACOB W. FRIESEN

Jacob W. Friesen was born December 14, 1883, in Zagradafka, Russia. He came with his parents J. J. C. and Cornelia Wall Friesen to America in 1893 and settled in Minnesota.

After several months his parents moved to Kansas and purchased a farm near Lehigh. Here he spent his boyhood days and received his education. He accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized and received into the First Mennonite church of Lehigh. From that time on until his death he has been active in the work of the church.

As a young man he homesteaded in Hamilton county, Kansas. After his return to Lehigh he was united in marriage with Marie Funk on October 7, 1909. To this union two children were born, both of whom died in infancy. It also pleased the Lord to take from him his wife who passed away on December 25, 1911.

On June 13, 1912, he was united in marriage with Tena Harder. Also in this year he joined the fellowship of the M. B. church at Lehigh, The Lord blessed this union with 12 children sone of whom preceded him in death.

In 1915 we settled in eastern Oklahoma at Inola. Besides farming father served the Inola Mennonite Brethren church as leader for a period of 22 years. He was ordained into the ministry at Inola on November 20, 1938. In 1944 we moved to Hillsboro, Kansas, and united with the local M. B. church.

Our father possessed a sense of mission to witness for his Lord and to help the poor and needy. His love for service also found expression through his efforts for the MCC relief work, which he did with joy. Our father was a lover of music and inspired us to sing. He was thankful to God for saving the children and for bringing them all into the fellowship of the church. Through his children at home and through his son Jake, a medical missionary in India, his spirit of witness and service for God goes on.

For many years father was afflicted with a chronic illness which however, did not restrain him from active life. On September 3, 1951, he suffered a heart attack which revealed to him and to us all the seriousness of his physical condition. It was his personal desire some day to depart from this earth while reading the Bible. this in the providence of God was granted him. On Monday morning, December 3, 1951, while reading from the Bible at breakfast time the next Sunday’s Sunday School lesson, as was his custom to do on Monday mornings, he was suddenly and without pain or struggle called home to be with his Master. He died at the age of 67, having shared with his wife 39 ½ years of happy companionship and a close, loving family bond.

Preceding him in death is one son, David, one grandchild, Carolyn June Friesen, his parents and four sisters.

Remaining to treasure the inspiration of his life and to mourn his sudden departure are his wife and eleven children: Arthur and wife of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; Esther, Mrs. Waldo Friesen and husband of Dinuba, California; John and wife of Morril, Kansas; Jake and wife of India; Ruth, Mrs. Harold Voth and husband of Newton, Kansas; Calvin and wife of Hillsboro, Kansas; Martha, Mrs. Richard Ainley and husband of Santa Maria, California; Herbert of the MCC Voluntary Service Unit, Reedley, California; Franklin of the MCC Voluntary Service Unit, Stockton, California; Paul and Ma4rvin of Hillsboro, Kansas. Eight grandchildren, two brothers, five sisters, as well as many other relatives and friends also mourn his passing.

All of the eleven children were able to be at the service except Dr. and Mrs. Jake Friesen who were on their way to India.