Edna Elizabeth Friesen (née Wiebe)
January 17, 1947 – April 17, 2025
On April 17, 2025, Edna peacefully went to meet her risen Saviour and spent Easter in heaven.
Born in Winkler, Manitoba, Edna was the 10th child of Abram and Tena Wiebe. At the age of two, her family moved to Graysville, where she enjoyed a happy and bustling childhood surrounded by siblings, chores, and the rhythm of farm life. While her older sisters took on the cooking and cleaning, Edna found her calling at the sewing machine—first designing doll clothes, then clothes for people, and eventually crafting gowns for weddings, graduations, her grandchildren’s annual Christmas pyjamas and beautiful handmade quilts.
She met James Friesen at a youth group event in high school, and after one date, he was sure she was “the one.” Edna made James wait a little longer to marry her while she completed one year at Steinbach Bible College with her sister, Katherine. They were married on September 16, 1967. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family and farming, near Somerset, Manitoba. They raised their three children—Beverly, Corinne, and Kevin—and welcomed three more children —Josie, Chris and Roberto—into their home through foster care. Though she once vowed never to marry a farmer, Edna embraced farm life wholeheartedly, eventually giving up her job as a Nurse’s Aid in Swan Lake Hospital to be a full-time mom and farmer’s wife. She also added house designer when she designed their house built in 1975.
A gifted hostess and Bible teacher, Edna served in many capacities as a founding member of a CSSM church plant in Somerset and especially enjoyed Women’s Ministries. She devoted over 40 years to women’s ministry: leading Bible studies, organizing her local Christian Women’s Club, and speaking at many others. She and James travelled widely, both for pleasure and on mission trips, but their greatest joy came from their winters spent serving at Rio Grande Bible Ministries in Texas. There, for the last 15 years, Edna continued her women’s ministry and sewing for students and staff. She became a stand-in mother and grandmother to many who were far from home. Their door was always open and their table always full, touching countless lives.
Above all, Edna treasured her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild were the delight of her heart, and she poured love into their lives. In summer, they enjoyed camping, time at the lake, and Family Camp at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp. Winters saw countless card games, board games and a few ski trips to the mountains. If she wasn’t watching a dance recital, sports game, or hosting a week-long sleepover, she was probably sewing or knitting something special, or treasure-hunting at the thrift store for just the right gift.
Edna was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Successful treatments made her cancer-free for four years. Many were humbled and in awe of her godly spirit as she would often come home from chemo sessions with a story about a fellow Cancer Care patient who had it so much harder than her. She became increasingly grateful and appreciative of everything God had provided for her. In July, 2024, the prognosis was that the cancer had returned and could not be cured this time. She was admitted to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Palliative Care in early January, 2025.
Edna’s rich legacy of love, faith, and service will be carried forward in the lives of the many people she welcomed and taught, the many for whom she prayed and stitched something beautiful. The family is thankful for the countless number of meaningful visits with her these last few months. Her lengthy hospital stay turned into blessings as Edna continued to host visitors nearly one thousand times. She would often verbalize that God clearly had more work for her to do on earth. She chose to continue to serve her Lord and Saviour to nearly her dying breath…choosing joy, encouraging the hospital workers and her visitors and even handing out Bibles. Edna received excellent care and she could not say enough about the compassion that was evidenced throughout the staff at BTHC. Her family extends their deep appreciation for your kindness and exemplary service.
Edna was predeceased by her parents, one sister, three brothers, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law. She is lovingly remembered by her husband James; daughter Beverly (Emery Plett), grandchildren Braden, Macy (Marius Klassen), Rayna (Colton Penner), daughter Corinne (Joe Thiessen), grandchildren Mersadie, Sawyer, Boston, son Kevin (Michelle), grandchildren Brianna (Jamie Small), great-granddaughter Clea, grandchildren Parker (Addison), and foster son Roberto Willman (Jenna) and granddaughter Eliana.
January 17, 1947 – April 17, 2025
On April 17, 2025, Edna peacefully went to meet her risen Saviour and spent Easter in heaven.
Born in Winkler, Manitoba, Edna was the 10th child of Abram and Tena Wiebe. At the age of two, her family moved to Graysville, where she enjoyed a happy and bustling childhood surrounded by siblings, chores, and the rhythm of farm life. While her older sisters took on the cooking and cleaning, Edna found her calling at the sewing machine—first designing doll clothes, then clothes for people, and eventually crafting gowns for weddings, graduations, her grandchildren’s annual Christmas pyjamas and beautiful handmade quilts.
She met James Friesen at a youth group event in high school, and after one date, he was sure she was “the one.” Edna made James wait a little longer to marry her while she completed one year at Steinbach Bible College with her sister, Katherine. They were married on September 16, 1967. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family and farming, near Somerset, Manitoba. They raised their three children—Beverly, Corinne, and Kevin—and welcomed three more children —Josie, Chris and Roberto—into their home through foster care. Though she once vowed never to marry a farmer, Edna embraced farm life wholeheartedly, eventually giving up her job as a Nurse’s Aid in Swan Lake Hospital to be a full-time mom and farmer’s wife. She also added house designer when she designed their house built in 1975.
A gifted hostess and Bible teacher, Edna served in many capacities as a founding member of a CSSM church plant in Somerset and especially enjoyed Women’s Ministries. She devoted over 40 years to women’s ministry: leading Bible studies, organizing her local Christian Women’s Club, and speaking at many others. She and James travelled widely, both for pleasure and on mission trips, but their greatest joy came from their winters spent serving at Rio Grande Bible Ministries in Texas. There, for the last 15 years, Edna continued her women’s ministry and sewing for students and staff. She became a stand-in mother and grandmother to many who were far from home. Their door was always open and their table always full, touching countless lives.
Above all, Edna treasured her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild were the delight of her heart, and she poured love into their lives. In summer, they enjoyed camping, time at the lake, and Family Camp at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp. Winters saw countless card games, board games and a few ski trips to the mountains. If she wasn’t watching a dance recital, sports game, or hosting a week-long sleepover, she was probably sewing or knitting something special, or treasure-hunting at the thrift store for just the right gift.
Edna was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Successful treatments made her cancer-free for four years. Many were humbled and in awe of her godly spirit as she would often come home from chemo sessions with a story about a fellow Cancer Care patient who had it so much harder than her. She became increasingly grateful and appreciative of everything God had provided for her. In July, 2024, the prognosis was that the cancer had returned and could not be cured this time. She was admitted to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Palliative Care in early January, 2025.
Edna’s rich legacy of love, faith, and service will be carried forward in the lives of the many people she welcomed and taught, the many for whom she prayed and stitched something beautiful. The family is thankful for the countless number of meaningful visits with her these last few months. Her lengthy hospital stay turned into blessings as Edna continued to host visitors nearly one thousand times. She would often verbalize that God clearly had more work for her to do on earth. She chose to continue to serve her Lord and Saviour to nearly her dying breath…choosing joy, encouraging the hospital workers and her visitors and even handing out Bibles. Edna received excellent care and she could not say enough about the compassion that was evidenced throughout the staff at BTHC. Her family extends their deep appreciation for your kindness and exemplary service.
Edna was predeceased by her parents, one sister, three brothers, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law. She is lovingly remembered by her husband James; daughter Beverly (Emery Plett), grandchildren Braden, Macy (Marius Klassen), Rayna (Colton Penner), daughter Corinne (Joe Thiessen), grandchildren Mersadie, Sawyer, Boston, son Kevin (Michelle), grandchildren Brianna (Jamie Small), great-granddaughter Clea, grandchildren Parker (Addison), and foster son Roberto Willman (Jenna) and granddaughter Eliana.