Frieda Isaac (nee Froese)

Obituary

Frieda Isaac was born to Henry and Aganetha (Enns) Froese at Rosenort, Manitoba on September 5, 1927. She peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at the Maplewood Manor, Steinbach, Manitoba at the age of 91 years.

Our mother was the youngest in a family of 7. She was only 3 when her father died, leaving Grandma to raise her family alone. Times were hard and her older brothers helped support the family from an early age. They learned to be thrifty and this became a way of life. She received her education at the Pleasant Valley School. Theirs was a singing family and mom was also blessed with the gift of song. The drive to church with a horse and buggy took an hour and they would sing by memory all the way! In her youth, Mom found salvation and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. This faith was very precious to her and she remained faithful to the end.

When Mom was 17, Grandma married Isaac Klassen and moved to Linden, Alberta. This added 7 siblings to the family, most of whom were married. They were not considered a step family… Mom stayed with her siblings in Rosenort for 6 months, and then joined her parents in Linden. The telephone switchboard was in their house and Mom helped Aunt Lydia as a Switchboard Operator. She also had some house jobs.

Dad and Mom were married in Linden, Alberta on June 15, 1947. Traveling home to Kleefeld, Manitoba on their Model A Ford, Mom learned to drive. She was always a good driver and Dad would frequently give her the wheel since he got sleepy while driving. They were blessed with 71 years of marriage. Eight sons and 3 daughters were born to them.

Mom’s Christian life was important to her and her faithfulness was an example to us. When she had failed, she made confession. When Dad was ordained into the deaconry, Mom unselfishly supported him as he served in the Church. Her outgoing and cheerful disposition won her many friends. Going with Dad to meetings was always a pleasure for her. Mom had the gift of hospitality and many guests were blessed by her generosity. At our table, there was always room for one more. A large garden was an important part of the dairy farm where we grew up. Mom would can and freeze large amounts of vegetables and fruit to feed the large family. We were taught responsibility and the rewards of hard work.

In her 70’s, Alzheimer Disease began to take our Mom away. The journey was long and her decline was gradual. In 2012, Dad and Mom moved to the Maplewood Manor. She brought joy to the staff and residents by her friendly smile and love of people. As her ability to remember the words of songs left her, she would whistle instead. The last week as she was slowly, peacefully fading away, it was a blessing to be at her side. Now she is set free.

Left with special memories are the children: Murray, Leonard (Faith), Jenny Reimer, Paul, Maxine, Charles (Eileen), Randy (June) all of Kleefeld, Shirley (Cornelius Penner) of Berwick, Nova Scotia, Franklin (Sheila), and Bruce (Mylah) of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia; twenty-three grandchildren; thirty nine great-grandchildren; Cornelius’ family, three sisters-in-law and one step brother.

Preceding her in death was her husband; one son, Henry; one granddaughter; and one son-in-law.

The family would like to thank the staff at Maplewood Manor for the loving care Mom received.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Kleefeld, with viewing prior to the service.