Friesen, John
John Friesen
John Friesen was born in Aberdeen, SK on January 7, 1918. He married Anna (Toews) on October 30, 1960 at Waldheim, SK. John and Ann lived in Waldheim and later moved to Saskatoon. For his retirement, John and Ann moved to Abbotsford, BC but they continued to cherish the visits and memories of their friends on the prairies.
John farmed in his earlier years and later enjoyed his custodian work at the university in Saskatoon. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and playing the guitar, harmonica and the omnichord. The latter gave him opportunities to sing hymns in care homes, at senior camps and at the detention centre for young boys. One of his favourite songs was:
I am going to a city where the roses never fade;
Loved ones gone to be with Jesus; in their robes of white arrayed;
Now are waiting for my coming, where the roses never fade.
In the last few years John’s physical and mental health deteriorated. With a sense of humour, he’d say, “My forgetter is getting better”. As his strength waned and his condition worsened, he was moved to Tabor Care Home. It was his desire and prayer to leave this world and to enter Heaven’s gates to be with his Lord and Saviour. His prayer was answered on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, with his wife holding his hand, he passed into the presence of the Lord. He was 92 years, one month and nine days.
John was predeceased by his parents, John and Maria Friesen, his brother, Jacob and his wife Sadie Hamm and by his sister, Margareta and her husband, Ewert Buhlin and also by his brother-in-law, Henry Quiring.
He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 49 years, Anna (nee Toews), one brother, Peter (and Tina) Hamm; two sisters, Mary Quiring and Lydia Friesen, nephews and nieces and many friends.
John Friesen’s Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, Februrary 24, in the Grace Evangelical Bible Church in Abbotsford, BC.
