Friesen, Bernhard C. (1908-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 2 p. 6

Birth date: 1908 Aug 26

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Buhler Mennonite Church for Bernard [sic Bernhard] C. Friesen, 49, who died Christmas night at his home in Wiley, Colo. after a long illness. The services were in charge of Rev. Irvin Richert. A native of Buhler, Mr. Friesen is survived by his mother, Mrs. Helena Friesen of Hutchinson, two brothers, Henry of Aberdeen, Idaho and Milton of Hutchinson; and six sisters, Mrs. Sarah Unruh, Mrs. Selma Wiebe and Mrs. Evelyn Wiens of Newton, Mrs. Kathryn Baergen of Bazine, and Mrs. Hulda Miller of Hutchinson.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 9 p. 8

text of obituary:

BERNHARD FRIESEN

Bernhard Friesen was born on August 26, 1908, at Buhler, Kansas, the son of Henry and Helena Friesen, and died on Dec. 25, 1957, in Denver, Colo. at the age of 49 years, three months and 30 days.

During his early childhood, Bernhard went with his parents to Idaho where the family lived for five years. They then returned to Buhler where they lived on the farm. It was in Buhler that he completed grade school and high school.

He was baptized by Rev. P. R. Voth on May 27, 1927, and became a member of the Buhler Mennonite Church, where he remained a member until his death. Bernhard, better known as Barney to his friends, had a great interest in sports and excelled in athletics while in school. He was a lover of the outdoors and enjoyed traveling.

In 1944 he moved to Wiley, Colo. where he operated a service station until his sickness caused him to give up his work. He became ill for the first time in his life in 1956 and entered the Presbyterian Hospital in Denver on August 9 of that year. Since that time, Bernhard spent most of his time in the hospital, undergoing four major operations. Last Thanksgiving Day and through Christmas of 1956, he was able to be at home and enjoy the holidays. Then he had to return to the hospital, spending the last seven months in the Sands House, a sanatorium in Denver. While he lived in Wiley, he attended the Wiley Church of the Brethren. After Bernhard's illness forced his hospitalization, he was ministered to by Rev. Hickson and the many kind members of the Asbury Methodist Church in Denver.

Bernhard was preceded in death by his father. Henry F. Friesen, who passed away Sept. 24, 1944; and by two sisters, Helen (Mrs. B. B. Wiebe) who died May 26, 1929, and Elizabeth (Mrs. Abe Froese) who passed away on Nov. 11, 1955.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Helena Friesen (nee Dyck) of Hutchinson; six sisters, Sara (Mrs. J. S. Unruh) of Newton, Mrs. Selma Wiebe of Newton, Kathryn (Mrs. George Baergen) of Bazine, Mrs. Hulda Miller of Hutchinson, Ella (Mrs. A. M. Weber) of Wiley, Colo., and Evelyn (Mrs. Nick Wiens) of Newton.

He is also survived by two brothers, Henry S. of Aberdeen, Idaho, and Milton of Hutchinson, Kansas.