It is with great sadness the family of Richard H. Friesen of Morden MB, announce his passing on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Richard, a beloved father, grandfather and brother, lost his battle with cancer. He was seventy-seven years young.
An avid fan of cars, finding a good deal and coming up with new projects to ignite both passions. He was well known for always having a good story to tell, which always got funnier especially after the fifth time hearing it and having the most infectious laugh that you swear you can still hear even now.
Richard was the youngest son of Peter J. and Anna Friesen of Oak Bluff, MB born on sept 9th, 1945 in Winnipeg Mb. Raised on the farm in the MacDonald municipality Richard attended Oak Bluff school and later went on to study mechanics at Red River College. He spent many years in the 1970’s racing NHRA dragsters at Bison raceway in Winnipeg. He worked for community Chevrolet and numerous other automotive dealerships before starting his own Gulf gas station in Whytewood. He worked at his own mechanic shop for a number of years in Winnipeg MB, as well as Morden, MB, before moving on to service manager at Landau Lincoln in Winnipeg, MB. He and his family moved to Kelowna, BC where he worked as service manager at the Don Folk Chevrolet before moving on to Del Oro Towing. There he found a great love for assisting people and figuring out how to retrieve vehicles in some of the most precarious positions. After moving back to Manitoba in the early 2000’s he took on the new adventure of driving an 18-wheelers for Essen, Lark and Portage Transport. Logging many miles driving all over the US and Canada he had found an enthusiasm for traveling which opened up a whole new way for him to spread his joyful nature to many people; and of course, collect numerous funny stories to share with anyone that would listen.
He will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Krista (Jarett) MacDonald and Karla (Jeremiah) Metterle; his four grandchildren, Jacob and Jenna MacDonald and Claire and Evan Metterle. Richard is survived by two sisters and one brother, Helen Penner, Marion (John) Neufeld and Abe (Gloria) Friesen as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Anna Friesen, brothers, Peter and John, sister, Katie and infant daughter, Kristina Marie. Anyone that met Rick knew they had an instant friend, so we know that many people will feel the loss of such a charismatic man.
The family would like to thank his friends in the community who made his final days independent living possible. The Doctors and nurses of the Boundary Trails medical unit who gave him such excellent care, as well as doctors Woelk and Greyling for their years of excellent care. A private service will be held at Wiebe Funeral Chapel in Morden with interment to follow at La Salle Mennonite Cemetery, Pastor Weldon Yeo officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Richard’s memory to Cancer Care Manitoba or to his favorite place to find those deals, the Morden Community Thrift Store or Katie’s Cottage.
An avid fan of cars, finding a good deal and coming up with new projects to ignite both passions. He was well known for always having a good story to tell, which always got funnier especially after the fifth time hearing it and having the most infectious laugh that you swear you can still hear even now.
Richard was the youngest son of Peter J. and Anna Friesen of Oak Bluff, MB born on sept 9th, 1945 in Winnipeg Mb. Raised on the farm in the MacDonald municipality Richard attended Oak Bluff school and later went on to study mechanics at Red River College. He spent many years in the 1970’s racing NHRA dragsters at Bison raceway in Winnipeg. He worked for community Chevrolet and numerous other automotive dealerships before starting his own Gulf gas station in Whytewood. He worked at his own mechanic shop for a number of years in Winnipeg MB, as well as Morden, MB, before moving on to service manager at Landau Lincoln in Winnipeg, MB. He and his family moved to Kelowna, BC where he worked as service manager at the Don Folk Chevrolet before moving on to Del Oro Towing. There he found a great love for assisting people and figuring out how to retrieve vehicles in some of the most precarious positions. After moving back to Manitoba in the early 2000’s he took on the new adventure of driving an 18-wheelers for Essen, Lark and Portage Transport. Logging many miles driving all over the US and Canada he had found an enthusiasm for traveling which opened up a whole new way for him to spread his joyful nature to many people; and of course, collect numerous funny stories to share with anyone that would listen.
He will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Krista (Jarett) MacDonald and Karla (Jeremiah) Metterle; his four grandchildren, Jacob and Jenna MacDonald and Claire and Evan Metterle. Richard is survived by two sisters and one brother, Helen Penner, Marion (John) Neufeld and Abe (Gloria) Friesen as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Anna Friesen, brothers, Peter and John, sister, Katie and infant daughter, Kristina Marie. Anyone that met Rick knew they had an instant friend, so we know that many people will feel the loss of such a charismatic man.
The family would like to thank his friends in the community who made his final days independent living possible. The Doctors and nurses of the Boundary Trails medical unit who gave him such excellent care, as well as doctors Woelk and Greyling for their years of excellent care. A private service will be held at Wiebe Funeral Chapel in Morden with interment to follow at La Salle Mennonite Cemetery, Pastor Weldon Yeo officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Richard’s memory to Cancer Care Manitoba or to his favorite place to find those deals, the Morden Community Thrift Store or Katie’s Cottage.