Elfrieda Friesen

Elfrieda Friesen, née Penner, was born on October 10, 1928, in Schöneberg, Ukraine, to Cornelius C. Penner and Maria Penner. Loving parents and a strong faith sustained her as a young girl and then a woman through the tumultuous 1930s and 1940s. Frieda’s father was drafted into the German army; they would not see each other for 28 years. The fatherless family was repatriated by the Soviets and put to work in a labour camp in Siberia.

On January 6, 1953, Frieda married Jacob Friesen. Conditions gradually improved. After the birth of their second son, they moved to Soviet Tajikistan. Here their faith was nurtured in a small underground church. Frieda and Jacob were baptized in secret in Kairakum Lake in 1959, braving a constant threat of persecution Christian. They felt the prayers of Frieda's father. Cornelius Penner immigrated to Canada where he worked tirelessly for 15 years to reunite the family. Finally in 1972 they were reunited. With the feeling of having reached the promised land, Frieda and Jacob established a new home in Canada and in King Road MB Church where they served as deacons. Frieda shepherded her seven children until all had successfully completed their schooling.

As the next phase of Frieda’s life set in, she took a job in housekeeping and in the kitchen at Tabor Home. During this time she earned her driver's license, learned to play the organ, and polished her English skills, while continuing to care for her growing family.

In 2006 brought new trials: Jacob needed fulltime care and Frieda lost most of her eyesight. She was sometimes sad, but never despondent. She relearned her favourite activities: knitting, baking, cooking and hosting her children in Tabor Court.

Frieda passed away on January 18, 2017 at 7:55 a.m., surrounded by loved ones, remaining lucid and sharp to the end.

All who knew her admired her grace and resilience in the face of difficulties. Her legacy to her loved ones is 1 Thess. 5:23-24: “May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.”

Frieda is reunited in heaven with her husband Jacob, an infant daughter Louise, siblings Maria, Otto, Arthur, grandson Marcus, great-granddaughters Elianna and Eli Grace. She is lovingly remembered by seven children: Rudy and Trudy Friesen, Henry Friesen, Frieda and Harold Janzen, Ed Friesen and Jane Oldham, Erika Friesen and Richard Ratzlaff, Maria Friesen and Aschi Amstutz, Art Friesen and Cynthia Escobar Friesen, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

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Visitation for Elfrieda and her great granddaughter, Eli-Grace Schultz will be held on Wed., Jan 25 from 7 – 8 pm at King Road MB Church, 32068 King Road, Abbotsford with the Memorial Service for Elfrieda will follow on Thurs., Jan 26 at 11:30 am at King Road MB Church.

In memory of Elfrieda donations may be made to Logos Canada Foundation, PO Box 2249 STN A, Abbotsford, BC V2T 2X4

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.