It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Fred Friesen, on April 8, 2023, at approximately 12:40 pm. He was 81 years old, a Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and cherished friend.
Fred (Dad) is survived by his life partner and wife, Helena Evelyn Friesen (nie Penner), their children; Mariann Grace (Marc), Harry Wayne, Patricia Louise, Robert Stanley, and Virginia Mae (Christopher); 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Also left to mourn are his sisters: Bertha (Bernie) and Barbara (Ed), a loving extended family in Texas and many cherished friends.
Dad was pre-deceased by his parents, Rev Peter A and Louise Friesen (nie Deorksen), parents-in-law, Frank H and Marie Penner (nie Dueck), brother Jake Friesen, brothers-in-law Ed and Frank Penner, sister-in-law Lillian Peters (nie Penner) and grandson Zachary Aguiar.
Dad was born on December 26, 1941 to Rev Peter A and Louise Friesen in Winkler, Manitoba. He was raised in Steinfeld (near Lowe Farm), and left school during grade 9, opting to work instead on the family farm.
Dad was baptised on the confirmation of his faith on June 16, 1962, by Bishop John A Friesen, at the Kronsweide Sommerfeld Mennonite Church.
On occasion, Dad and brother Jake travelled to Altona to visit their friend, Bernie Penner. On the very first visit, as Jake proceeded to the door to call upon Bernie, Mr. Frank Penner, told his daughter Helena, to get a look at the handsome young blonde coming up the walk. She promptly replied “Oh but Dad, take a look at the dark haired one sitting in the truck! He’s the one I’m going to marry!!”
After an approximate 3-year courtship, Dad, the handsome guy in the truck, proposed to and married the love of his life Helena Evelyn Penner. It was obviously in God’s masterful plan. About two years into the marriage, they moved from the farm to Winnipeg, where together they built a life and raised their 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. Money was never plentiful, but Dad and Mom worked tirelessly to provide the best life they could. Dad worked in various manufacturing businesses as welder, eventually securing a job with the Canadian Pacific Railway. He started as a welder and in time became a carman working many long shifts. The job was not always easy, but he enjoyed working there right up to the day he retired.
Dad wore many hats. He was a song leader in the Winnipeg Sommerfeld Church for many years and sang in the Sommerfeld Church Mass Choir.
Dad and mom loved adventure and wanted to share this love with their children. As a family we travelled to BC to visit the Doerksen clan. Dad even considered moving the family there for a while, but the money needed to support his large family just wasn’t there. We were also exposed to Dad’s favorite past-times, snowmobiling, camping, water skiing, fishing and hunting. As the family grew and moved from home, Dad and Mom took their mothers on many trips. Upon the passing of their mothers, began to travel alone, eventually finding the first of Dad’s two happy places in 1989. Texas!! He grew impatient every fall with the anticipation of traveling south for the winter. While there he enjoyed walking the beaches, collecting seashells and seeing the sites. It is in Edinburg, Texas, in 2014 that they found their forever place and first met the people who became their US Family. Oh God is Good!! He knew back in 2014 that this “family” would play a crucial role in Dad’s life one day.
Approximately 5 years ago, Dad found his 2nd happy place, a cabin in Petersfield, Manitoba, at Chesley Resort. He quickly became a “Mr Fix It” for some of the neighbors and loved to putter around and work on projects, while Mom worked at the local restaurant.
Together they have celebrated 60 years and 8 months of marriage. And now Mom must face the journey with out him.
On February 14, 2023, Dad came down with a case of COVID, eventually ending up in the Edinburgh Regional Health Centre on February 23, 2023. He was quickly placed on oxygen support, with minimal success. On March 6, 2023, he was intubated and fully sedated thus beginning his final journey. This is the last time he was ever able to speak or respond to anyone.
After much disappointment and no improvement, we were able to Medivac him home to Winnipeg on March 30, 2023, where he remained in the Medical ICU at the Health Sciences Centre until his passing on April 8, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving wife Helena and his children.
Dad’s story does not end here. His memories will live on in the hearts of everyone he touched, especially his children, his grandchildren and even his great- grandchildren. We will see his infectious silent laugh in every joke, we will feel his passion for life every time we travel, we will miss his instruction and knowledge when taking on building projects, automobile repairs and the list goes on. He will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace Dad, until we meet again!!
The family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and pulmonary professionals at both the Edinburgh Regional Health Centre (Texas) and the Health Sciences Centre (Winnipeg) for their professionalism, constant care, prayers and support. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Wiebe’s Funeral Home (Winkler), Rev. Art Wiebe and finally the Winkler Mennonite Church groups for their help, kindness, and guidance in making a difficult situation a little more bearable.
Fred (Dad) is survived by his life partner and wife, Helena Evelyn Friesen (nie Penner), their children; Mariann Grace (Marc), Harry Wayne, Patricia Louise, Robert Stanley, and Virginia Mae (Christopher); 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Also left to mourn are his sisters: Bertha (Bernie) and Barbara (Ed), a loving extended family in Texas and many cherished friends.
Dad was pre-deceased by his parents, Rev Peter A and Louise Friesen (nie Deorksen), parents-in-law, Frank H and Marie Penner (nie Dueck), brother Jake Friesen, brothers-in-law Ed and Frank Penner, sister-in-law Lillian Peters (nie Penner) and grandson Zachary Aguiar.
Dad was born on December 26, 1941 to Rev Peter A and Louise Friesen in Winkler, Manitoba. He was raised in Steinfeld (near Lowe Farm), and left school during grade 9, opting to work instead on the family farm.
Dad was baptised on the confirmation of his faith on June 16, 1962, by Bishop John A Friesen, at the Kronsweide Sommerfeld Mennonite Church.
On occasion, Dad and brother Jake travelled to Altona to visit their friend, Bernie Penner. On the very first visit, as Jake proceeded to the door to call upon Bernie, Mr. Frank Penner, told his daughter Helena, to get a look at the handsome young blonde coming up the walk. She promptly replied “Oh but Dad, take a look at the dark haired one sitting in the truck! He’s the one I’m going to marry!!”
After an approximate 3-year courtship, Dad, the handsome guy in the truck, proposed to and married the love of his life Helena Evelyn Penner. It was obviously in God’s masterful plan. About two years into the marriage, they moved from the farm to Winnipeg, where together they built a life and raised their 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. Money was never plentiful, but Dad and Mom worked tirelessly to provide the best life they could. Dad worked in various manufacturing businesses as welder, eventually securing a job with the Canadian Pacific Railway. He started as a welder and in time became a carman working many long shifts. The job was not always easy, but he enjoyed working there right up to the day he retired.
Dad wore many hats. He was a song leader in the Winnipeg Sommerfeld Church for many years and sang in the Sommerfeld Church Mass Choir.
Dad and mom loved adventure and wanted to share this love with their children. As a family we travelled to BC to visit the Doerksen clan. Dad even considered moving the family there for a while, but the money needed to support his large family just wasn’t there. We were also exposed to Dad’s favorite past-times, snowmobiling, camping, water skiing, fishing and hunting. As the family grew and moved from home, Dad and Mom took their mothers on many trips. Upon the passing of their mothers, began to travel alone, eventually finding the first of Dad’s two happy places in 1989. Texas!! He grew impatient every fall with the anticipation of traveling south for the winter. While there he enjoyed walking the beaches, collecting seashells and seeing the sites. It is in Edinburg, Texas, in 2014 that they found their forever place and first met the people who became their US Family. Oh God is Good!! He knew back in 2014 that this “family” would play a crucial role in Dad’s life one day.
Approximately 5 years ago, Dad found his 2nd happy place, a cabin in Petersfield, Manitoba, at Chesley Resort. He quickly became a “Mr Fix It” for some of the neighbors and loved to putter around and work on projects, while Mom worked at the local restaurant.
Together they have celebrated 60 years and 8 months of marriage. And now Mom must face the journey with out him.
On February 14, 2023, Dad came down with a case of COVID, eventually ending up in the Edinburgh Regional Health Centre on February 23, 2023. He was quickly placed on oxygen support, with minimal success. On March 6, 2023, he was intubated and fully sedated thus beginning his final journey. This is the last time he was ever able to speak or respond to anyone.
After much disappointment and no improvement, we were able to Medivac him home to Winnipeg on March 30, 2023, where he remained in the Medical ICU at the Health Sciences Centre until his passing on April 8, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving wife Helena and his children.
Dad’s story does not end here. His memories will live on in the hearts of everyone he touched, especially his children, his grandchildren and even his great- grandchildren. We will see his infectious silent laugh in every joke, we will feel his passion for life every time we travel, we will miss his instruction and knowledge when taking on building projects, automobile repairs and the list goes on. He will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace Dad, until we meet again!!
The family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and pulmonary professionals at both the Edinburgh Regional Health Centre (Texas) and the Health Sciences Centre (Winnipeg) for their professionalism, constant care, prayers and support. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Wiebe’s Funeral Home (Winkler), Rev. Art Wiebe and finally the Winkler Mennonite Church groups for their help, kindness, and guidance in making a difficult situation a little more bearable.