October 1,1940-March 30, 2020
After battling cancer for several months, our dad and grandpa went peacefully into the arms of Jesus in the early morning of March 30 at the age of 79. We are thankful that he was present with us in mind until the last moments. As he was all of his life, he continued to be so kind, polite, cheerful and gentle even throughout his sickness.
Dad was the oldest of 3 children born to Ben and Tena Friesen in Rosenhoff in southern Manitoba. Dad's family moved to Mexico when he was 9 where he lived until his dad's passing in 1953. On their return to Manitoba, Dad was thrust early into a life of work to help provide for his family at the young age of 13. He worked on farms helping extended family members and got into driving farm vehicles. At the age of 16 he started driving a fuel truck picking up fuel in Winnipeg and delivering it to farmers. In the 1960's, a group of young men from southern Manitoba, including dad, came to Kenora to haul wood in the winters as there was not a lot of work on the farms. They lived in trailers set up at Tailleau's yard on the East Highway in the winter. They all returned to Manitoba in the summer to work where Dad drove a gravel truck for highway construction. Dad eventually was hired on full time in Kenora hauling wood which became his passion and joy. Dad was a great driver and received the first Driver of the Year award ever awarded in this area in recognition of 30 years of accident-free hauling. We are thankful that through all of the millions of miles that he drove to the bush and back, and for family vacations, that he never had an accident. He absolutely loved driving truck and did that very successfully for 65 years.
In 1967, Dad met a girl named Margaret (who was a nurses aid in the Morris hospital) at an ice cream shop in Morris. Margaret thought he was the most handsome guy she had ever seen! They went on their first date on Dad's birthday to a Buck Owen's concert in Winnipeg. They fell madly in love and were married in August 1969 three weeks after Margaret finished her nurses training. They enjoyed a beautiful honeymoon in Hawaii (They returned to Hawaii for their 40th Anniversary and for a few more vacations after that as Hawaii had a special place in their hearts) and settled into life in Kenora. They
had three wonderful children and lived in the same house for the past 46 years. Mom and Dad were aperfect team and they took care of our family well for their 50 years together.
In his spare time, Dad loved to spend time outside doing yardwork and gardening. His yard was the envy of the neighbourhood! He also enjoyed playing card games on the computer, doing puzzles, reading the paper and watching sports on TV (especially football!).
While we take great comfort knowing Dad is healed and is with Jesus right now, he has left to miss him, Margaret (Marg), his wife of more than 50 years; his daughter Tammy Peters and her husband Mike, their children Sawyer, Brooklyn, Carter and Cade; son Darcy and his wife Yvonne, their children Gemma, Skyler, Teagan and Trent; son Carson and his wife Mihye, their children Cortez and Isabelle.
The 17 of us loved him so much. He was always there, always a support to each one of us through all of our different activities, especially all of the grandkids in their sports. We are so blessed that we could be all together for many holidays, birthdays and especially last summer to celebrate mom and dad's 50th Anniversary and then together again last Christmas.
Dad is also lovingly remembered by his brother Frank Friesen and wife Marianne, his sister Florence Thiessen and husband Bill, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Larry and Elvera Born, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wes and Jacque Eidse and sister-in-law Lisa Makwebek as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his dad Bernhard Friesen, his mom Tena Friesen, his father-in-law Jacob Born, his mother-in-law Tena Born and his nephew Perry Born.
We now can fully realize what it meant to have a man like this in our lives. Though not a chatty guy, he had a dry sense of humour and loved to crack a joke when you were not expecting it! Dad quietly impacted each of our lives, being an anchor for us at all times and leading by example. His life is marked by devotion to God, his wife and family, hard work, faithfulness, gentleness and a readiness to show his love and care for his family. He lived a life of integrity expressing his faith, most of the time, without saying a word. Many people have told us how he was greatly admired and respected in the workplace and elsewhere for his strength of character and his unwavering faith. Dad became a follower of Jesus as a teenager and was baptized a few years later which was a hugely important life event for him. We are so thankful that his legacy of faith continues through us because he lived out his faith in front of us.
Dad—Mom says to save a dance for her. We love you.
A Celebration of Dad's life will take place as soon as we are able.
Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.
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