John I. Friesen

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away at the age of 87 on June 15, 2016 surrounded by his family. John was born in McPherson, KS to the late John Isaac and Mabel Gertrude (Johnson) Friesen on Feb. 13, 1929. He grew up with three brothers (Don, Del, and Eugene) in the Lindsborg area, working the farm during the Great Depression. He served in the National Guard and saved lives in Marion, KS during the Great Flood of 1951. On December 19, 1954, John married the love of his life, Helen M. Bernritter. During their 62 years of marriage, they raised five children in west Wichita. With his degrees from Lindsborg’s Bethany College and Wichita State University, John worked as an aeronautical engineer at Cessna Aircraft for over 36 years. He was an avid golfer, bird hunter, marksman, and photographer. Furthermore, he loved baseball. As the coach, John won the 1968 West Urban Little League baseball title. John was an especially devoted grandfather and mentor. His faith in the Lord was extraordinarily strong. He was a charter member of Ascension Lutheran Church where he served his Lord in many capacities for over 55 years. John is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Helen; two sons Paul Friesen (Anna) and James Friesen (Tresa), and three daughters, Teresa Erdman (Art), Lorri Pankratz (John) and Kristy Magnuson (Donnie); 10 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren, brother Doniphan Friesen (Joann), many nieces, nephews and friends. A celebration of John’s life will be held Monday, June 20, 2016 at 1 pm in Ascension Lutheran Church, 842 N. Tyler Road, Wichita, KS 67212, with committal immediately following at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to the Stephen Ministries of Ascension Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association (https://donatenow.heart.org/).