Irvin H. Friesen

On a snowy day in February 1933, Tena Friesen arranged for her husband, Jacob, the local Grain Elevator Operator, to watch her 4 children. While in labor, she walked to the train station in Dalmeny, Canada, boarded the train, and went to the hospital in Saskatoon. There she gave birth to Irvin Harry Friesen on February 18th.

As a boy, with a family of 7, bath days were on Saturdays. A large tub was filled with hot water. Each took turns in the tub, girls first. Irvin, being the youngest, always bathed last. Throughout his life he never complained about the temperature of the water when taking a shower. Not during power outages camping, or winter time.

Irvin liked growing up in Dalmeny. Especially because there were horses around. He would wait at the Grain Elevators and volunteer to drive the horse drawn wagons full of grain to the scales to be weighed. He got a job herding neighbors cattle to graze on grasslands because they let him ride their horse to do it. He herded the cattle along a muddy slough. When it was hot, he swam in the slough to cool off. The water was muddy and visited by cattle, so he always kept his head out of the water. Throughout his life, he was known for his swimming style.

At the age of 14, Jacob Friesen moved his family to Fresno, California, USA in search of a better life for them.

Irvin wanted to attend Immanuel High School, so he drove the school bus every day from Fresno to Reedley to offset the cost of tuition.

He later got a job at the butcher shop. His boss was very patriotic and encouraged him to register for the register for the military draft. Irvin was drafted into the Army in the Korean War and sent to Fairbanks, Alaska. Not yet being a US citizen. He trained as an Army Medic and then became the driver to the General and his family. He spent the remaining years in service as the driver to the highest-ranking officer on the base at the time.

When discharged from the military, his high school friend, Benny Willems, set him up on a blind date with a nursing student he had met in the choir at Church.

Irvin and Janie were married just as soon as she finished nurses training.

Irvin became a Naturalized US Citizen before his first son was born in 1959.

Irvin had a strong work ethic all of his. His favorite motto was "a change is as good as a rest". But, his children did not always agree with that sentiment.

With a young family to provide for, he went into partnership with his brother in the used car business. Then, he settled into the financial field. He became a Certified Financial Planner, and stayed in that field for the remainder of his life. Acquiring clients who became lifelong friend and wealthier, in many ways for knowing him.

Later in life, Irvin survived pancreatic cancer with only a 3-5% survival rate. Decades later, he would experience the effects of the radiation and chemotherapy and that would take his life.

We take comfort in knowing that he is in Heaven with his wife. She is showing him all the wonderful nature and wildlife there. And, laughing to some good jokes to him by his brother.

He will be greatly missed by many.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Friesen family.