Friesen, Jacob W. (Mrs.) Harder (1891-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Nov 26 p. 11

Birth date: 1891 May 18

text of obituary:

MRS. JACOB W. FRIESEN

Mrs. J. W. Friesen, daughter of Rev. John A. and Katharina Klassen Harder, was born on May 18, 1891 at Alexanderwohl, South Russia. Here she was reared and received her elementary education. At the age of 18 she came to America with her parents and they settled near Lehigh, Kan. Soon after their arrival in 1909, our mother accepted Christ and upon confession of faith was baptized and received into the Lehigh Mennonite Brethren Church.

On June 13, 1912, she was married to Jacob W. Friesen at Lehigh and our parents began their life together on a farm in that community. They moved to Inola, Okla. in 1915 where they continued farming and where our father was chosen to serve in the ministry. In 1944 our parents moved to Hillsboro where mother had resided since that time. Our father passed away in 1951.

A lifetime of devoted service and activity for the Lord, the Church and children and grandchildren was interrupted almost a year ago when she entered the hospital in Hillsboro. During the past year she returned periodically for medical treatment and after a long period of suffering she was graciously taken from this life early Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, 1970, having reached the age of 79 years, five months and nine days.

As the mother of 12 children, her life was spent in serving those whom she loved. But her service was not confined to her children. She reveled in the work of the church and in supporting the work of Christ at home and abroad. There was an intensity about her spirit that contrasted with her naturally quiet ways. As her children we will never forget her prayers, letters and expressed concerns as she ministered spiritually to us long after we had left home. We rejoice in the memory of one who lived a self-giving life and had the thrill of seeing her own life extended in the ministry of her family.

Preceding her in death were her husband, one son (David), two granddaughters and a number of brothers and sisters. Surviving are the children: Arthur and Hannah Friesen, Siloam Springs, Ark.; Mrs. Esther Friesen, Everett, Wash.; John and Mary Friesen, San Jose, Calif.; Jake and Ruth Friesen in India; Ruth, Mrs. Harold Voth and husband, Goessel; Calvin and Betty Friesen, Wichita; Martha, Mrs. Richard Ainley and husband, Santa Maria, Calif.; Herbert and Ruth Friesen, in Afghanistan; Frank and Margie Friesen, Littleton, Colo.; Paul and Freda Friesen, Pueblo, Colo.; Marvin and Mary Ellen Friesen, Los Angeles, Calif.

Also surviving are 34 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one brother, John Harder of Dos Palos, Calif.; and three sisters, Mrs. Karl Reddig, Wolf Point, Mont., Mrs. Frank Plett, Atwater, Calif., and Mrs. Abe Klassen, Clovis, Calif.; eight half sisters and brothers as well as many other relatives and friends. — The Family.