Friesen, Bernhard H. (1862-1947)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1947 Jun 3 p. 14

Birth date: 1862 Apr 11

text of obituary:

Bernhard H. Friesen wurde am 11. April, 1862 im Dorfe Alexanderthal, Süd Rußland geboren. Seine Eltern waren Heinrich B. und Helena Friesen. Hier genoß er seine Schulbildung unter der Leitung des tüchtigen Lehrers Heinrich Unruh. 1879 wanderten seine Eltern aus nach Amerika. Im Jahre 1880 erkannte er seinen verlornen Zustand und übergab sich dem Herrn und wurde den 4. Dezember 1881 von Aeltester Jakob Buller getauft und Glied der Alexanderwohler Gemeinde. 1885 war er Mitbegründer der Hillsboro Mennoniten Gemeinde, deren Glied er bis 1890 war und dann sich wieder der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde anschloß. 1920 half er die Gössel Men. Gemeinde gründen, deren Glied er bis an sein Ende geblieben ist. 1890 den 6. März trat er in die Ehe mit Sara Voth, eine Tochter des Predigers Peter Voth. In dieser Ehe wurde ihnen ein Sohn und eine Tochter geboren. 1915 war es ihnen vergönnt die silberne Hochzeit zu feiern und lebten dann noch in glücklicher Ehe bis 1925. Dann wurde unsere Mutter nach schwerer Krankheit durch den Tod von seiner Seite genommen. 1927 trat er wieder in die Ehe mit Witwe A. A. Reimer, die er nach längerer schwerer Krankheit Okt. 19, 1933 durch den Tod verlor. Jetzt galts wieder die Straße einsam zu pilgern. Seit der zweiten Heirat zog er sich von der Farmerei zurück und wohnten in Gössel. Je mehr und mehr von jetzt an galt sein Dienst den Kranken und Alten in den Bethesda Anstalten. Als er selber Insasse im Heim wurde widmete er seine ganze Kraft mit voller Hingabe den alten Mitgenossen. In 1905 wurde er als Diakon in der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde gewählt und diente derselben bis 1920 als er sich der Gössel Men. Gemeinde anschloß und diente derselben als Diakon bis vor ein paar Jahren als er resignierte alters halben. Er liebte viel zulesen [sic], besonders Schriften religiösen Inhalts. Vorigen Sommer fing der Vater über innerliche Schmerzen an zu klagen. Die Ursache fanden die Aerzte erst nach der zweiten Operation im Februar. (Krebs in der Leber). Sanft verschied er den 18. März 3 Uhr morgens. Er hat überwunden und ruht nun fortan. Er hat das Alter erreicht von 84 Jahren. 11 Monaten, 5 Tagen. Sein Abscheiden betrauern ein Sohn, Daniel und eine Tochter Katharina, Frau C. F. Funk mit ihren Familien, 8 Großkinder, eins ist ihm im Tode vorangegangen, 4 Brüder, 3 Schwestern und viele Verwandte und Freunde.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Mar 20 p. 5

text of obituary:

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— B. H. Friesen, 84, a resident of the Goessel community ever since the migration from Russia in the 1870's, passed away at the Bethesda hospital at Goessel on Tuesday morning. He had been seriously ill at the hospital for about a month and had undergone several operations. Before entering the hospital he had been a resident of the Bethesda Home for Aged. He is survived by two children, D. B. Friesen and Mrs. C. F. Funk, both of rural Newton. Funeral services are to take place Friday afternoon at the Bethesda Home for the Aged, and at 2:00 o’clock at the Goessel Mennonite church, with Rev. P. P. Buller officiating.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Apr 10 p. 7

Birth date: 1862 Apr 11

text of obituary:

BERNHARD H. FRIESEN

Bernhard H. Friesen was born April 11, 1862, in the village Alexanderthal, South Russia. His parents were Heinrich B. and Helena Friesen. In his home village he received his schooling under the excellent schoolmaster, Heinrich Unruh. In 1879 he emigrated to America with his parents.

Recognizing his lost condition, he surrendered to the Lord in 1880 and was baptized December 4 by Elder Jacob Buller and received as a member of the Alexanderwohl church. When the Hillsboro church was organized in 1885 he became one of its charter members, retaining his membership there till 1890, at which time he reunited with the Alexanderwohl church. In 1920 he became one of the charter members of the Goessel Mennonite church, in which he then remained until the end.

On March 6, 1890, he was united in marriage with Sara Voth, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Peter Voth. One son and one daughter were born in this union. In 1915 our parents were privileged to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary. They could continue their happy sojourn together till 1925, when, after a severe illness, our mother was taken in death. In 1927 father married Mrs. A. A. Reimer, who was taken from in 1933 after a prolonged and severe illness.

Since his second marriage he had retired from the farm and lived in Goessel. Increasingly he now gave his services to the sick and aged in the Bethesda institutions. When he himself became an inmate of the Home, he served the aged with complete devotion.

When in March of 1905 the Alexanderwohl church chose deacons, he was called to this office and was installed in August. In this office he served the Alexanderwohl church until 1920, and from then until his resignation a few years ago, he served as deacon in the Goessel church.

The service which he rendered in this capacity to both churches is an open book and known to all. With deep love he served his Saviour and did not shrink from testifying for his Lord and standing up for his convictions whenever there was occasion for this. His ardent prayers bore testimony to his constant communion with God. With a deep concern for the welfare of his family and of his church he bore them up in intercessory prayer, grieving deeply when there were evidences of evil.

He liked to read, especially literature of a religious nature, and in course of time he had built up a considerable library of worthwhile books.

Last summer father began to complain about pain internally. Only a second operation in February revealed the cause — cancer of the liver. His suffering was intense and wrung from him many a groan. But looking unto the Lord he was prepared for the worst, and his glad testimony was, “When I die I will be with my Saviour.” Quietly he departed this live at 3:40 a. m., on March 18. He has overcome and is now at rest.

He reached the age of 84 years, 11 months, and five days. Besides our mother, one grandchildren preceded him in death. There remain to mourn his departure his son Daniel, his daughter Katharine, Mrs. C. F. Funk, one son-in-law and one daughter-in-law, eight grandchildren, four brothers, three sisters, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services took place at the Goessel Mennonite church on Friday, March 21, Rev. P. P. Buller officiating, with burial in the Alexanderwohl church cemetery.