Friesen, Henry H. (1884-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 30 p. 8

Birth date: 1884 Feb 14

text of obituary:

HENRY H. FRIESEN

Our father Henry H. Friesen was born on Feb. 14, 1884, at Jansen, Nebr. and passed away on Jan. 14, 1958, reaching the age of 73 years and 11 months.

At the age of five years he lost his mother through death and his father when he was 17. Having lost both his parents so early in life he heeded the call of the heavenly Father who called him to repentance unto salvation and a life of devotion to god. On May 23, 1904, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith in Christ as his Saviour and received into the fellowship of the Kleine Gemeinde Mennonite Church at \Jansen.

In July of 1906 he was joined in holy wedlock to Maria R. Friesen. This union lasted scarcly [sic] more than a year when his wife was called in death. One child born to this union passed away in infancy.

On Feb. 16, 1908, he found another helpmate in Katharine R. Friesen. In somewhat more than a year they left their home community in Nebraska and took up a pioneer life in Meade County, Kansas and engaged in business and farming.

Being a lover of song he served as director of congregational singing in the church for many years. In general his life was characterized by quietness, contentment, depth of purpose and devotion to God, family and duty. By these he endeared himself to his many associates.

On Oct. 16, 1933, the Lord saw fit to take from his side our mother through a short illness and death. Physical infirmities at last made it necessary to retire from his more active life and to move from the farm to the city of Meade. Here he enjoyed and appreciated the assistance and care of the daughters for almost two years. However, last October his condition required care in the Meade Hospital. In a spirit of quietness and an expressed desire to go home to be with the Lord, he awaited his time of departure which God in His mercy granted him.

He leaves to mourn his departure his three sons and six daughters, Abe of Hutchinson, Kan., Mrs. Joe Welker of Hutchinson, Mrs. D. J Classen and Mrs. Ben Isaac of Meade, and Anna, Elizabeth and Sara of the home; three daughters-in-law and three sons-in-law, 15 grandchildren; an only remaining sister, Mrs. Isaac Harms of Montezuma, Kan.; and many other relatives and friends. Two grandchildren preceded him in death. — The Bereaved Family.