Ben K. Friesen

Obituary

On Saturday, February 23, 2019, Jesus called Benjamin K. Friesen home at the age of 80, 80 years young, not 80 years old is how dad would have put it. Dad was ushered into glory peacefully with his family at his side at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

Left to mourn and yet celebrate his passing is his wife, Mary, one son, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. Merrill Friesen (Marcy) Carter & McKenna, Christine Dueck (Leonard) Nicxon, Rebecca & Gracia, Angela Penner (Sheldon) Thunder, Kaylie & Evie. Two sisters – Betty Reimer (Ed) & Rosalind Remple (Wayne), 2 brothers – Wilbert Friesen (Carol) and Harold Friesen (Cheryl) two sisters-in-law Helen Sedo, Erna Doerksen, numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ben was predeceased by is parents – Herman & Agnes Friesen, sister Rosena and grandson Brady.

Dad married the love of his life – Mary Doerksen on August 22, 1964 in Steinbach and they enjoyed 54 years of marriage together. They lived the first few years of married life in Steinbach and then for the next 50 years on a farm in the Ekron area east of Steinbach.

Two things were important to dad – his faith in God and his family.

Dad was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He committed his life to follow the Lord at the age of 20. Dad quietly lived out his faith in a quiet and unassuming way. He believed in the promises and teachings of Scripture and lived his life accordingly. Dad, you have fought the good fight and have finished the race, and you have kept the faith. The Lord has said, “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

Dad delighted to be surrounded by his family and looked forward to their visits. Whenever we wanted a birthday party or a celebration for dad, his only request that it included his family. Very few family gatherings were missed as dad also savored spending time with his extended family.

Dad was a man of the land, loving to farm and raise animals. Dad took a lot of pride in his crops and in the garden. Mom and dad always had a big garden, and in his retirement, he loved to help mom in the garden. He loved to pick fresh vegetables and eat them right there in the garden using his hands or pants to wipe off the dirt.

Most of his adult life, to keep the farm operational, dad also was employed in construction and at Loewen Windows. He sacrificially provided for his family, never complaining about the hard work or the long hours.

Dad loved building things with wood, which ranged from most buildings on the farm to small things that required attention to detail. Many of these things he passed onto us which we will savour for years to come. While his health lasted, dad loved working in his workshop in the garage.

Dad also had a couple hobbies, collecting miniature tractors and hats, both of which he had pursued for many years. During his retirement, mom and dad traveled all over Manitoba going to various tractor shows. Dad always knew which tractors he had and which ones he needed to add to his collection. Today, there are over 1000 tractors in his collection. Whenever, dad would get a new hat, he would wear that hat with pride until he got another new one.

For the past 35 years, dad’s lungs were riddled with asthma, which eventually developed into COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). All the years of farming took a toll on his lungs, which affected him in his retirement, but never a word of regret or would he complain.

Dad was a faithful and loyal man showing a tremendous level of integrity and honesty with a steadfast and enduring presence. He forgave easily and treated people how he would like to be treated. He had a way of making everyone feel accepted as he was gracious and kind to people never treating them as someone who was inferior. Dad was a man of deep compassion who cared deeply for people. He would often tell us stories about people he knew or had encountered, and often his eyes would mist up.

He was a man of a few words and most times he would take his time to answer questions. That could be frustrating when you wanted a quick answer, but this approach allowed him to never regret anything he said. When necessary, dad had a witty sense of humour which allowed for a quick comeback and it came with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

Dad had to quit school at a young to help on the family farm. Therefore, dad’s formal education was minimal, but he spent the rest of his life learning. He loved to talk politics and always knew the latest happenings in the world.

Dad, you have already been missed greatly, and we’ve wonder how we will carry on without you. Your loss has left a gaping hole in our hearts, but we can rejoice as we know that you are in the arms of Jesus, no longer having to fight for every breath. Dad, you were a great husband, father and friend in all aspects as you provided for us, surrounded us with unconditional love, being quick to forgive and setting a wonderful example of how an earthly father should be. We love you!

The memorial service will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, Steinbach, MB.

A private family viewing, and burial will take place prior to the service.