Crystal Friesen

Obituary

With both deep sorrow and eternal hope in Jesus, we announce the passing of Crystal Friesen, age 44, on October 12, 2026, at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. After a valiant battle with cancer, Crystal went home to be with her Lord and Saviour.

Crystal was born in Steinbach on February 14, 1982, to Harold and Grace Penner. The oldest of two daughters, she grew up alongside her sister, Jen. Crystal gave her life to Jesus at a very young age and was baptized at age 12. Her love for Jesus remained central throughout her life, and her faith grew especially deep over the past year.

Crystal met Henry Friesen in 1999. On her eighteenth birthday, Henry asked her out, and they began dating in February 2000. They were married seven months later on September 16, 2000, and made their home in Steinbach. On October 27, 2006, they welcomed their daughter, Rhiana with great joy. Crystal dearly loved her family, and being a wife and mother was at the heart of her life.

Crystal will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her husband, Henry; her daughter, Rhiana; her sister, Jen (Steve) Davidson; brothers and sisters-in-law Myrna (John) Dueck, Allan (Chantelle) Friesen, Ron (Hannah) Friesen, Roy (Sonia) Friesen, Luella Friesen, Sylvia (Dallas) Reimer, and Nelson (Meghan) Friesen; numerous nephews and nieces, extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Grace Penner; her parents-in-law, Daniel and Shirley Friesen; and her baby, Gabriel, whom she lost through miscarriage.

We grieve her passing but take comfort in knowing that Crystal is with the Jesus she loved throughout her life.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Manitoba.