Olive A. Friesen

Olive Friesen, Daughter of Archie and Jeanie Thompson, she was born at home on May 5, 1923, in a house built by her grandfather in Vancouver, Canada. She was named Olive Agnes, after the aunt who delivered her when the doctor arrived too late. Her ancestry was 96% Scottish, according to recent results.

As a young woman she enjoyed managing a retail bakery. Later, Bill Friesen spotted her on her first day working at Dominion Bridge, they were married in early 1953, and honeymooned in Portland.

She and Bill and their two children, Jeanie and David, immigrated to the US in 1957, eventually settling in Vancouver, WA after living in Eugene, OR and Amboy, WA.

She had a great time working as an AV aide in the Columbia River High School library, riding herd on the AV students. She always loved kids and volunteered as a first-grade reading tutor after retiring in 1982.

She and Bill made multiple driving trips, across the US and into Canada. They drove the Alcan highway to Alaska when it was still partly gravel (she and the dog flew home). She enjoyed travel to the UK with Jeanie, plus several cruises to Eastern Canada and New England, and Alaska. A Caribbean cruise with both kids and grandkids was a highlight.

She was a woman of faith, teaching Sunday School for years and leading many women’s Bible studies. She “prayed without ceasing” for family, friends and missionaries, she loved to entertain them at home. She trusted God for guidance in all ways, winning a cash drawing that provided a family Christmas one year when Bill was out of work.

Most recently she lived at Mariana’s Adult Care Home in Portland, where she was treated with unfailing kindness and loving care by her caregivers Lily and Romi. She died at home on April 19, 2018.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; sister, Margaret; and brother, John. She is remembered with love by her sister, Cathie (Jack); daughter, Jeanie and grand-dog, Louie; son, David and his wife, Maureen; grandson, Ryan (Rachel); granddaughter, Kelly Ann (Josh); great-grandchildren, Ava, Carson and Bowie; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends. We trust she still prays for us all.

A celebration of life for Olive will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Vista Community Church, 20018 NE 22nd Ave., Ridgefield, Washington 98642.

Memorial donations may be made to World Vision.