Friesen, Frieda Balzer (1892-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Jan 16 p. 8

Birth date: 1892 Nov 8

text of obituary:

Newton and Vicinity

Mrs. Frieda Friesen, 76, wife of Rev. Karl Friesen of North Newton, died Jan. 10 at Unruh Nursing Home in McPherson where she had been a patient since 1965. She was a member of the Bethel College Church, and the funeral was conducted there Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Esko Loewen and Rev. Verney Unruh. The former Frieda Balzer of the Tabor Church community north of Newton, she at one time served with her husband among the Hopi Indians in Arizona. Surviving in addition to Rev. Friesen are a daughter, Miss Leonore Friesen, missionary to Japan now on furlough at the parental home, and two sisters, Mrs. J. J. Voth and Mrs. W. I. Schroeder, both of North Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Jan 30 p. 11

text of obituary:

MRS. KARL FRIESEN

Frieda Balzer (Mrs. Karl) Friesen was born in Marion County, Kansas, in what is now the Tabor Church community, on Nov. 8, 1892. She was taken to her heavenly home on Jan. 10, 1969 at the age of 76 years.

She was the oldest daughter of Henry P. and Helen Frey Balzer. Two sisters and five brothers, preceded her in death.

She received her elementary education in the Sandcreek School, followed by two years in the Goessel Preparatory School, three years in the Bethel College Academy, and one year in the Chicago Missionary Training School.

Upon confession of faith she was baptized May 15, 1910, by Rev. H. R. Voth in the Tabor Mennonite Church. In 1941 she transferred her membership to the Bethel College Mennonite Church.

She was married to Karl Friesen on June 21, 1917. One daughter, Leonore Grace, was born to them.

In 1919 a call came from the Board of Missions to work among the Hopi Indians at Oraibi, Ariz. They accepted the call and began the work there in October of that year.

She loved the Indians and won the friendship of the women with whom she worked. After approximately seven years, due to poor health, this work had to be terminated. That her daughter entered the service of the Lord and in due time herself became a missionary to Japan gave her much joy.

The following nine years the family lived in California; at Meno, Okla.; Beatrice, Neb.; and since 1935 at Newton, Kan.

She loved the Lord and wanted to share Him with others. Before she was married as well as later on she taught German vacation Bible school at Goltry, Okla., Marion, S. D., Perryton, Texas, and Beatrice, Neb.

Before her daughter's second furlough was due her memory had begun to fail. Medical diagnosis attributed this to arteriosclerosis. By 1965 her condition demanded more complete nursing care than she could be given at home, and she entered the Unruh Nursing Home in McPherson. The last year and a half she was completely bedfast, though lifted occasionally into a chair.

We thank our heavenly Father that, as far as we could tell she was without much suffering throughout her illness, except toward the end.

Besides her husband and daughter, two sisters survive, Maricha, Mrs. J. J. Voth, and Gertrude, Mrs. W. I. Schroeder, both of North Newton.

Her departure leaves a painful vacancy, but we thank the Lord, Whom she loved, that He has taken her unto Himself, "Which is far better" (Phil. 1:23).—Karl Friesen and Leonore Friesen.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1969 Feb 18 p. 106