Friesen, Katie Abrahams (1892-1980)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1980 Oct 30 p. 11

Birth date: 1892 Apr 21

text of obituary:

KATIE ABRAHAMS FRIESEN

Katie Abrahams Friesen was born Apr. 21 1892 to Henry and Maria Janzen Abrahams at Henderson, Neb. She spent her early years moving around considerably, as her parents lived at Munich, N.D., Butterfield, Minn., Litchfield, Neb. and intermittently at Henderson.

After she married Bernhard Friesen on Nov. 28, 1912, they lived on the home place for 34 years, until retiring into Henderson in1946.

She was baptized by Heinrich H. Epp on May 27, 1912 and received into the Bethesda Mennonite Church, where she remained a member until her death. The church was always dear to her. She was a member of Mission Circle I, and thoroughly enjoyed this fellowship and working with her hands. She prepared communion elements for 30 years while her husband was deacon of the church.

The retirement years were enjoyable for them. She was a lover of nature and raised a large variety of flowers and house plants. When her husband died in 1975, she was lonely at times and had a great desire to follow him, but she had a strong body and carried on well. She moved into the nursing home in 1979.

In January 1980 it was discovered that she had cancer. She was not able to walk the last few months. Her wish to be released from her body became a reality on Sept. 15.

She leaves two sons, Bill and wife Margaret of North Newton, Kan. and Elmer and wife Bertha of Henderson, Neb.; three daughters, Goldie of Henderson, and Martha and husband Raymond and Nina and husband Everett of Aurora; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant daughter, one brother, one sister and a son-in-law.