Obituary of Helen Friesen
(nee Janzen)
Helen Friesen (nee Janzen) was born on March 7, 1935, to her parents Abram P. and Anna (nee Neudorf) Janzen. She was the youngest of nine children.
Mom was raised in Blumenfeld and attended school there. She also spent a few of her growing-up years living in Thornhill, where her parents farmed. During this time, she attended Orange Hill School and had many fond memories of time spent with family, friends, and neighbors there.
On June 10, 1956, Mom married Isaac D. Friesen. She devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother to their five children and to supporting their family. In 1959, they moved to Haskett, where Dad worked on a turkey farm. In the spring of 1963, they farmed briefly in Wakopa while living with her brothers, Abe and Jake Janzen by Cartwright, Manitoba. In the fall of 1964, they sold that farm and moved to a farm at Tisdale, near Killarney, where they lived until 1975. Their five children were born during these years.
In 1975, they had the opportunity to purchase Isaac’s home place south of Morden. They made their home there and enjoyed a beautiful yard and garden filled with many fruit trees. Mom lived there until Dad’s passing on January 2nd, 2012. That spring, the farm was sold, and Mom moved to Oak West Estates in Morden. She greatly enjoyed her time there—visiting with friends, taking them to church and medical appointments, and volunteering at the thrift store.
As Mom’s short-term memory began to decline, she moved to Tabor Home on October 26, 2023, where she remained until her passing on December 19, 2025.
Mom’s faith was an important part of her life. She trusted in the Lord through times of joy and hardship and lived out her faith through quiet service, kindness, and prayer. She prayed faithfully for many people and ministries, setting Tuesdays apart to pray for her family. She enjoyed listening to radio ministries and reading Christian magazines, which she was always eager to share. She loved spending time with her grandchildren—reading to them, singing lullabies, and reciting poems. We take comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, reunited with her beloved husband, and resting in the presence of her Savior.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Isaac; four brothers, Peter (Elizabeth), Abe (Helen), John (Tina), and Jake Janzen; four sisters, Annie (Gus) Westfall, Tina (Abe) Hildebrand, Susie (Jacob) Suderman, and Mary (John) Warkentin; and brother- and sister-in-law Dave and Tina Friesen, and Dave and Anne Peters.
She is survived by her three daughters, Joanne (Henry) Penner, Laura (Dave) Fehr, and Roxie (Jerry) Doerksen; and two sons, Randy (Heather, nee Klassen) and Bob (Anna, nee Krahn); 14 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law Henry and Helen Gerbrand, and sister-in-law Tina Janzen.
She is lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews.
We, as a family, are grateful for the compassionate care of the staff at Tabor Home during her time there, and for the love and support of our family, friends, and church communities.
(nee Janzen)
Helen Friesen (nee Janzen) was born on March 7, 1935, to her parents Abram P. and Anna (nee Neudorf) Janzen. She was the youngest of nine children.
Mom was raised in Blumenfeld and attended school there. She also spent a few of her growing-up years living in Thornhill, where her parents farmed. During this time, she attended Orange Hill School and had many fond memories of time spent with family, friends, and neighbors there.
On June 10, 1956, Mom married Isaac D. Friesen. She devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother to their five children and to supporting their family. In 1959, they moved to Haskett, where Dad worked on a turkey farm. In the spring of 1963, they farmed briefly in Wakopa while living with her brothers, Abe and Jake Janzen by Cartwright, Manitoba. In the fall of 1964, they sold that farm and moved to a farm at Tisdale, near Killarney, where they lived until 1975. Their five children were born during these years.
In 1975, they had the opportunity to purchase Isaac’s home place south of Morden. They made their home there and enjoyed a beautiful yard and garden filled with many fruit trees. Mom lived there until Dad’s passing on January 2nd, 2012. That spring, the farm was sold, and Mom moved to Oak West Estates in Morden. She greatly enjoyed her time there—visiting with friends, taking them to church and medical appointments, and volunteering at the thrift store.
As Mom’s short-term memory began to decline, she moved to Tabor Home on October 26, 2023, where she remained until her passing on December 19, 2025.
Mom’s faith was an important part of her life. She trusted in the Lord through times of joy and hardship and lived out her faith through quiet service, kindness, and prayer. She prayed faithfully for many people and ministries, setting Tuesdays apart to pray for her family. She enjoyed listening to radio ministries and reading Christian magazines, which she was always eager to share. She loved spending time with her grandchildren—reading to them, singing lullabies, and reciting poems. We take comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, reunited with her beloved husband, and resting in the presence of her Savior.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Isaac; four brothers, Peter (Elizabeth), Abe (Helen), John (Tina), and Jake Janzen; four sisters, Annie (Gus) Westfall, Tina (Abe) Hildebrand, Susie (Jacob) Suderman, and Mary (John) Warkentin; and brother- and sister-in-law Dave and Tina Friesen, and Dave and Anne Peters.
She is survived by her three daughters, Joanne (Henry) Penner, Laura (Dave) Fehr, and Roxie (Jerry) Doerksen; and two sons, Randy (Heather, nee Klassen) and Bob (Anna, nee Krahn); 14 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law Henry and Helen Gerbrand, and sister-in-law Tina Janzen.
She is lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews.
We, as a family, are grateful for the compassionate care of the staff at Tabor Home during her time there, and for the love and support of our family, friends, and church communities.