Bernard (Ben) W. Friesen

Obituary

Ben W. Friesen was born in the R. M. of Hanover on August 23, 1933 to David M. and Katarina Friesen. His early life was filled with challenges, especially when his mother passed away when he was merely 2 years old. His father remarried when he was 5 and that was quite an adjustment for this young lad.

Ben passed away on the evening of May 25, 2023 at Resthaven Personal Care Home.

Ben is survived by his wife Betty, son Ken of Vancouver, and 2 children Kory and Megan(and boyfriend), son-in-law Allan Kehler and 3 sons, Matthew, Michael and Scott and their families, Larry and wife Susan of Airdrie, Alberta and their 2 children, John and Chyanne and their families, son Paul of Thailand, daughter Sheryl and husband Darren Cave and their 2 children, Jordan (and fiancé) and Courtney of Edmonton, Alberta, sister Mary and her husband Peter Wiebe, sisters-in-law Peggy Friesen, Tina Neufeld, Agnes Kehler and Carol Kehler and their families.

Ben was predeceased by his father David M. Friesen, mother Katarina, step mother Helena, daughter Arlene, daughter Gladys, sister Tina at birth, brother Dick, brother-in-law Peter Neufeld, brother-in-law Cornelius Kehler, brother-in-law Jacob Kehler and wife Anne, brother-in-law Henry, sister-in-law Mary and husband Roy Broesky.

Ben was born in the RM of Hanover. He attended the Silberfeld Chortitzer church and was baptized there. He served his church as Sunday School teacher for several years. He married Elizabeth (or Betty) Kehler on Oct. 31, 1954. They farmed in the Seaton area for many years. When they sold the farm and moved to Steinbach, Ben found employment at Loewen Windows, where he worked a very taxing job until he was 75. He was a hardworking man and kept up with many people who were much younger than he was. John and Mathilda remember attending his retirement as his guests. They recall feeling very honored to be asked to attend this important event for Ben as they do not believe this was done for everyone retiring at Loewen.

As with so many people when we start aging, Ben’s health eventually started failing him. We believe he may have suffered a stroke at some point but we are not entirely sure whether that was what was causing difficulty for him. Eventually his health declined to a point where it was necessary for them to move into Resthaven Care Home. Remarkably Ben and Betty were both able to move into Resthaven in adjoining rooms on June 29, 2022. As difficult as this was, it proved to be the right move for them. As time went on, Ben was unable to communicate his thoughts and that seemed to frustrate him and understandably so. The care at Resthaven was great and Ben and Betty were always complimentary to the care they received from the staff there. On Tuesday, May 23, Betty called Mathilda and told her that Ben needed John. John and Mathilda went to visit them and found that Ben health seemed to be in a decline. The following day they went to see him and it was evident that he was not doing well. Ben was not able to communicate his thoughts. He basically lay in bed and didn’t eat. His breathing was laboured and shallow. They sang with Ben and prayed that God would wrap his arms around him and walk this journey with him without too much pain or discomfort. On Wednesday, 11 friends and family members dropped in to see him. Then on Thursday night, his granddaughter Chyanne and her husband Curtis arrived from Airdrie, Alberta to see Ben around 7PM. They went in to see him and spent about an hour with him and Betty. About 15 minutes after they left, Ben left this world to be with Jesus. We are happy for him but sad for Betty because she finds a deep emptiness with the loss of her husband of nearly 70 years. Please keep Betty in your prayers as she maneuvers through the coming weeks and months.

The family and caregivers would like to thank the management and staff of Resthaven for their support and compassionate care of Ben. It was very evident to us that you valued Ben and desired to see him comfortable.

We would also like to thank all of you who have loved and supported Ben through these challenging times through visits and encouraging words.

Please continue to drop in to see Betty to encourage her and support her. And of course, please continue to pray for her as she maneuvers through these challenging times.

A livestreamed funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Crossings Funeral Care. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in the Steinbach Heritage Cemetery.

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