Peter Friesen
November 18, 1928 – June 11, 2024
Peter Friesen of Winkler, Manitoba, passed away on June 11, 2024 at the age of 95. Peter was
born on the family farm outside of LaSalle, Manitoba on November 18, 1928, to Johann and
Helena Braun Friesen. He was the 6th of 12 children born to German Mennonite immigrant
farmers who fled to Manitoba, Canada from Siberia, Russia in 1926.
Peter spent his first 8 school years in the country grade school and exhibited an early love for
music. He contributed along with his siblings to the farm work until the family farm was hailed
out in 1950. Peter did not attend high school, starting his piano and voice education at age 15.
Through a series of evangelistic meetings held at his church Peter gave his life to the Lord at age
18. Serving the Lord through music became Peter’s life’s calling.
At age 21 Peter’s love of music took him to Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, then to Pacific Bible Institute in Fresno, California, and completing a Bachelor of
Music in 1963 at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas. He followed that with a Master’s degree in
counseling at Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas, in 1972, and finally completed a
Master’s Degree in Music at Emporia State University in 1981.
Peter met Marilyn Schafer at Pacific Bible Institute and they were married on May 18, 1957, at
the Harvey MB Church in Harvey, North Dakota. They raised a family of 3 children, Jenny Lynn
(1958), Susan Grace (1960) and Douglas Andrew (1964).
Peter spent his career teaching music, choir, private piano and voice lessons, and heading music
departments at Berean Academy, a Christian high school in Elbing, Kansas (1964-1973), Calvary
Bible College, Kansas City, MO (1973-1980), Freeman Junior College, Freeman, South Dakota
(1981- 1985) and Winkler Bible Institute, Winker, Manitoba (1985-1994). He led these choirs in
many tours, singing in churches across Canada and the US, and one tour to Europe. He also
directed church choirs in many churches he attended throughout his life.
During Peter’s retirement years he stayed involved with music by teaching private voice and
piano lessons, organizing community music concerts, and was founder and first conductor of
Prairie Singers, a community choral ensemble. Peter was also the chair of the music
celebrations of the Winkler Centennial. In the early 1990’s Peter provided two summers of
music teaching and choral experience for the fledgling Lithuania Christian College Summer
Institute in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Peter participated in several opportunities to direct alumni
choirs at Berean Academy and at Calvary Bible College and served on the Winkler Bible Camp
Board. Throughout his life, Peter championed talented young musicians and spent many hours
counseling and encouraging individuals. During these years Peter and Marilyn often traveled to
visit their children, grandchildren and relatives across Canada and the US.
Peter is survived by his wife of 67 years Marilyn, daughter Jenny and husband Robert Wall of
Wichita, Kansas, daughter Susan Friesen of Spokane, Washington, daughter-in-law Monica Clem
(John) of Freeman, South Dakota and grandchildren Kate Friesen and Richard Friesen of Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, Sara (Matthew) Fideler of Springfield, Oregan, Allison Wall and Jessica
(Jordan) Langford of Wichita, Kansas, Nathan Buchheit of Post Falls, Idaho, Claire Buchheit of
Spokane, Washington, sister Martha Ede, brothers Abraham (Joyce) Friesen, Jack (Marianne)
Friesen, Henry (Diane) Friesen, Victor (Heidi) Friesen, sister-in-law Sandy (Ron) Flickinger,
brother-in-law Duane (Barbara) Schafer and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada and the US. He is predeceased by son
Douglas Friesen, parents John & Helen Friesen, sisters Mary in infancy, Ann and husband Peter
Suderman, Helen and husband Henry Dick, Frieda Friesen, brothers John and wife Margaret
Friesen, Isaac and wife Eleanore Friesen, and sister-in-law Gerry Friesen.
Viewing will be at Wiebe Funeral Homes in Winkler on June 21, 2024 from 7:00 - 7:30 pm followed by a short evening service in the chapel.
There will also be a Visitation time at Hertz Funeral Home in Harvey, ND at 10:00 a.m. on Monday June 24, 2024 with graveside service to follow.
November 18, 1928 – June 11, 2024
Peter Friesen of Winkler, Manitoba, passed away on June 11, 2024 at the age of 95. Peter was
born on the family farm outside of LaSalle, Manitoba on November 18, 1928, to Johann and
Helena Braun Friesen. He was the 6th of 12 children born to German Mennonite immigrant
farmers who fled to Manitoba, Canada from Siberia, Russia in 1926.
Peter spent his first 8 school years in the country grade school and exhibited an early love for
music. He contributed along with his siblings to the farm work until the family farm was hailed
out in 1950. Peter did not attend high school, starting his piano and voice education at age 15.
Through a series of evangelistic meetings held at his church Peter gave his life to the Lord at age
18. Serving the Lord through music became Peter’s life’s calling.
At age 21 Peter’s love of music took him to Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, then to Pacific Bible Institute in Fresno, California, and completing a Bachelor of
Music in 1963 at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas. He followed that with a Master’s degree in
counseling at Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas, in 1972, and finally completed a
Master’s Degree in Music at Emporia State University in 1981.
Peter met Marilyn Schafer at Pacific Bible Institute and they were married on May 18, 1957, at
the Harvey MB Church in Harvey, North Dakota. They raised a family of 3 children, Jenny Lynn
(1958), Susan Grace (1960) and Douglas Andrew (1964).
Peter spent his career teaching music, choir, private piano and voice lessons, and heading music
departments at Berean Academy, a Christian high school in Elbing, Kansas (1964-1973), Calvary
Bible College, Kansas City, MO (1973-1980), Freeman Junior College, Freeman, South Dakota
(1981- 1985) and Winkler Bible Institute, Winker, Manitoba (1985-1994). He led these choirs in
many tours, singing in churches across Canada and the US, and one tour to Europe. He also
directed church choirs in many churches he attended throughout his life.
During Peter’s retirement years he stayed involved with music by teaching private voice and
piano lessons, organizing community music concerts, and was founder and first conductor of
Prairie Singers, a community choral ensemble. Peter was also the chair of the music
celebrations of the Winkler Centennial. In the early 1990’s Peter provided two summers of
music teaching and choral experience for the fledgling Lithuania Christian College Summer
Institute in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Peter participated in several opportunities to direct alumni
choirs at Berean Academy and at Calvary Bible College and served on the Winkler Bible Camp
Board. Throughout his life, Peter championed talented young musicians and spent many hours
counseling and encouraging individuals. During these years Peter and Marilyn often traveled to
visit their children, grandchildren and relatives across Canada and the US.
Peter is survived by his wife of 67 years Marilyn, daughter Jenny and husband Robert Wall of
Wichita, Kansas, daughter Susan Friesen of Spokane, Washington, daughter-in-law Monica Clem
(John) of Freeman, South Dakota and grandchildren Kate Friesen and Richard Friesen of Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, Sara (Matthew) Fideler of Springfield, Oregan, Allison Wall and Jessica
(Jordan) Langford of Wichita, Kansas, Nathan Buchheit of Post Falls, Idaho, Claire Buchheit of
Spokane, Washington, sister Martha Ede, brothers Abraham (Joyce) Friesen, Jack (Marianne)
Friesen, Henry (Diane) Friesen, Victor (Heidi) Friesen, sister-in-law Sandy (Ron) Flickinger,
brother-in-law Duane (Barbara) Schafer and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada and the US. He is predeceased by son
Douglas Friesen, parents John & Helen Friesen, sisters Mary in infancy, Ann and husband Peter
Suderman, Helen and husband Henry Dick, Frieda Friesen, brothers John and wife Margaret
Friesen, Isaac and wife Eleanore Friesen, and sister-in-law Gerry Friesen.
Viewing will be at Wiebe Funeral Homes in Winkler on June 21, 2024 from 7:00 - 7:30 pm followed by a short evening service in the chapel.
There will also be a Visitation time at Hertz Funeral Home in Harvey, ND at 10:00 a.m. on Monday June 24, 2024 with graveside service to follow.