Friesen, Luella Thomas (1918-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Feb 27 p. 5

Birth date: 1918

text of obituary:

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● Word was received here that Mrs. Luella Friesen, 45, wife of Rev. A. L. Friesen of Hutchinson, died at a hospital there Monday night after a long illness. she was the mother of Willard Friesen of Newton, and had taught at Central Christian High School in Hutchinson for about 10 years. Surviving in addition to the husband and son are another son and three daughters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Mar 5 p. 5

text of obituary:

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● Funeral services for Mrs. Luella (Thomas) Friesen, 45, wife of Rev. A. L. Friesen who died Feb. 25 at Hutchinson, were held last Thursday afternoon at the Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Rev. William Neufeld officiated. Rev. Friesen was formerly pastor of the Zoar church near Inman.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Apr 23 p. 8

text of obituary:

LUELLA THOMAS FRIESEN

Luella Thomas Friesen was born Dec. 11, 1918 at Marion, S. D. to Peter and Caroline Nachtigal Thomas.

Luella repented of her sins and believed in Christ as her personal Saviour at an early age. She was baptized July 3, 1933 by Rev. J. J. Adrian and accepted into the Silver Lake M. B. Church of Marion. She was a dedicated member and an influential witness with a vital concern for the lost.

With rigid self-discipline she finished Freeman Academy in three years with honors. After attending Freeman Junior College, she taught several years in the public schools of that community. Later she graduated from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., after which she earned her Master’s Degree in English at the University of Kansas.

One of Luella’s treasured experiences was being a member of a student work group sent by the MCC to do reconstruction work in Germany after the war.

Her devotion to her Lord expressed itself in a total of ten years of dedicated service at Central Christian High School in Hutchinson, Kan. In addition to giving classroom instruction, she served as matron of the girls dormitory, sponsored the school publications, “The Lighthouse” and the school annual, and directed the senior plays. Her quiet, competent manner evoked the respect and co-operation of the students.

In June 1957 she was married to Abe L. Friesen, thus accepting the responsibility as a mother for five growing children. She accepted the challenge as from the Lord. She transmitted her religious ideas to us through proverbs and maxims which she placed throughout our home. Her fine Christian example, her daily diligence, and her unselfish spirit will ever be cherished.

After her marriage, she together with her husband and family transferred her membership to the First M. B. Church of Wichita and to the Buhler M. B. Church. The church, the foreign mission field which she considered at one time, and the family were very dear to her.

After being with the family only two years, a malignancy was discovered. The four and one-half years which followed were interspersed with hospitalizations and suffering. She entered into the joy of her Lord on Feb 24, 1964.

Her parents, two brothers Edward and Alfred, a sister Frances, one sister-in-law, Luella and several nephews preceded her in death.

Those bereaved and challenged by her homegoing are: her husband ; the children, Carol and Dean Graber of Wichita, Kan., Willard and Norma Friesen of Newton, Kan., Genevie, Robert and Rita of the home ; a sister Martha and husband Ben Fast, a sister Alice and husband Ben Ratzlaff, all of Freeman, S. D. ; a brother Ferdinand Thomas and wife Emma of Marion, S. D. and many more relatives and friends.