Friesen, Tena Janzen (1913-1997)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1997 Jun 19 p. 12

Birth date: 1913 Jan 4

text of obituary:

TENA JANZEN FRIESEN

Tena Janzen Friesen was born Jan. 4, 1913, the first child of Jacob D. and Helena Peters Janzen near Henderson, Neb. She died April 24, 1987, at the age of 84.

Tena attended German Bible School in Henderson for two years and then Henderson High School, graduating in 1934. She was baptized upon her confession of faith on May 16, 1932, and was a lifelong member of Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, serving faithfully in a variety of ways. She taught primary Sunday school for many years and provided many floral arrangements for the church. She was a life-long member of the Mission Circle and served on the flower, library, sewing and social committees at various times. She was an enthusiastic and hard-working member of any committee on which she served. For many years she sang in the ladies chorus and in the church choir.

Tena was a charter member of the Henderson Garden Club and was active for 32 years. She was a past member of the Henderson Hospital Auxiliary and the Henderson Women's Club.

Tena married Fred Friesen on Nov. 26, 1939, in the Bethesda Church. They lived in Henderson while Fred worked for Standard Oil. Later they took up farming and lived on the farm until 1966.

Tena's hobbies included her flower garden. She especially loved her roses. it was while working in her rose garden that she came to the end of her earthly days.

She is survived by her husband, Fred; a daughter, Winona Kaye and husband Virgil Penner of North Newton Kan.; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Henry Janzen and Walter Janzen, both of Henderson; five sisters, Anna Goertzen, Olga Friesen, Clara Ratzlaff and Deloris Kroeker, all of Henderson and Doris Graber of Pretty Prairie, Kan. She was preceded in death by a sister, Goldie Wall; and a brother, Gustav.