Friesen, David Roy (1951-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 May 21 p. 5

Birth date: 1950 Jul 7

text of obituary:

Pastor's Son Called Away In Death

Pretty Prairie, Kan. — Eight-year-old David Roy Friesen, son of Rev. and Mrs. Elmer Friesen, died at the home here Saturday, May 16, after an extended illness.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the First Mennonite Church of Pretty Prairie, of which Rev. Friesen is pastor. The services were in charge of Rev. Leonard Metzger of Hutchinson and Rev. Harris Waltner of Moundridge.

In addition to his parents, the youth is survived by three sisters, Carolyn Joy, Ruth Ann and Elaine Marie, and the grandparents, Mrs. Leona Bixel of Claremont, Calif. and Mr. and Mrs. David Friesen of Reedley, Calif.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jul 9 p. 8

text of obituary:

DAVID ROY FRIESEN

David Roy Friesen, son of Elmer and Lois Bixel Friesen, was born in Beatrice, Neb. on July 7, 1950. He lived in Chicago for one year and later moved to Lansdale, Pa. where he attended kindergarten and the first two grades in school.

Last Sept 1 he came to Pretty Prairie, Kan. and after attending school for only three weeks, suddenly became ill and within a few days was paralyzed. For eight months he suffered much, yet always without complaint.

He knew Jesus as his Savior and learned to love Him so that even recently he offered his life to be used in any way for the glory of God. His strong child-like faith in the Lord was shown and expressed many times. His concern for people who did not know Jesus was often mentioned even during his illness.

It is with this in mind that a memorial fund has been established and all contributions will be given to the Mennonite Children's Mission in Colombia, South America. Here $110 will pay for the keep of one child from leprous parents for an entire year and give both a Christian home and education in their heathen surroundings.

Because of David's faith and trust, we are proud to give him back to the Lord who gave him to us, knowing that his sufferings are forever past and he is with the Lord in glory. We say with Job, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” It is our hope and prayer that this experience of his suffering and passing will teach both us and everyone who has known him the deep lessons the Lord has intended for us.

Besides his parents, he leaves three sisters, Carolyn, Ruth Ann, and Elaine; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Leona Bixel of Claremont, Calif.; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Friesen of Reedley, Calif.; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial services for David Roy were held May 19, 1959, at the First Mennonite Church of Pretty Prairie, Rev. Leonard Metzker and Rev. Harris Waltner officiated. The third grade class of the Pretty Prairie School and a ladies' trio sang. Interment was made in the church cemetery. — Rev. and Mrs. Elmer R. Friesen and Family.