Friesen, David A. (1913-1990)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 1990 Nov 9 p. 27

Birth date: 1913

text of obituary:

DAVID A. FRIESEN

David A. Friesen of Clearbrook, B.C. passed away Sept. 3. He was born Dec. 20, 1913 to Abraham and Sara Friesen in Slavgorod, Siberia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Brotherfield, Sask. Here he received the Lord under the ministry of Jacob Thiessen and was baptized in October, 1928. The family moved to Glenbush, Sask. and broke new land. He attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School, then Rosthern (Sask.) Academy. He married Katie Voth in Manitou, Man. Oct. 10, 1937. They moved to Vancouver, where he became choir leader of the MB church. He contracted TB, but recovered and moved to Yarrow, B .C. They moved to Chilliwack, B.C., where he was ordained and gained experience in radio work and the lumber business. He began a funeral home with William Driediger, then a lumber business at Whalley's Corners with Jake Martens and Jack Janzen. The family worshipped and served at Strawberry Hill (now Kennedy Heights) MB Church. They moved to Clearbrook so the children could attend MEL They joined Clearbrook MB Church and also served at Lake Errock. He sold his share of the business at Whalley's Corners and started Modern Building Supplies with 2 partners. In the early 1960s he became administrator of Bethesda Home in Vineland, Ont.He returned to B.C. to pastor Yarrow MB Church and produce and speak on the "Voice of Peace" German radio program. Illness forced him to resign from the pastorate, but he continued the radio ministry for 25 years till his death. They moved to Clearbrook, joining Bakerview MB Church. He worked for East Chilliwack Credit Union for 6 years and at Clearbrook Hardware for 2 years. They then became house parents at Tabor Home for 3 and a half years. After retirement he helped establish the Good Samaritan Society for Comfort and Cheer (which established the MCC Twin Firs home for the handicapped), Monday morning German Bible studies in Clearbrook Community Centre and the Maranatha prayer group's English radio program. Katie died in 1985. He joined Clearbrook MB Church, becoming involved in the preaching and visitation ministry. He married Susie Funk in 1986. He is mourned by his wife Susie; sons Walter, Rudy and Art of Abbotsford/Clearbrook; daughters Rose Buschman of Morocco, Irene Neufeld of Chilliwack, Katherine McCurdy of Scotland and Lillian Bookless of Wyoming; and 14 grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 10 in Clearbrook MB Church, with J.E. Klassen and Peter J. Froese ministering.