Friesen, Gilbert (1939-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 May 22 p. 6

Birth date: 1939

text of obituary:

Student From Steinbach Dies in Great Britain

Steinbach, Man. — Funeral services for Gilbert Friesen, 30, a native of Steinbach and former Rhodes Scholar, were held at the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church on May 8 with Rev. John R. Barkman officiating. At the time of his death, Friesen was a student at Oxford University in England, where he had been enrolled for the past eight years.

Death was due to the after-effects of a serious attack of jaundice three years ago. The young man had planned to return to Steinbach this month to fuller recover at his parental home.

He was a graduate of the University of Manitoba, majoring in political science. at the university he had received two scholarships. In 1960 he was selected Rhodes Scholar for Manitoba to study at Oxford.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Friesen, and one sister, Mrs. Frank (Corinne) B. Klassen. A brother, Lloyd, was killed in an airplane accident in 1948.