Larry Friesen

Obituary

Larry (legal name, Hilary) John Friesen was born May 1st, 1951. He passed at home on Monday, June 8th, 2026, in his favourite chair as he waved goodbye with a final smile to his beloved wife, Theresa (Thérèse). He closed his eyes and peacefully fell asleep for the last time.

He is survived by his beloved wife and their children: Laura (Pete), Virginia (Dave), Joshua (Cynthia), Rachel, Caleb (Chandra), and Luke (Alana); their grandchildren: Hayden and Pauliana; Sierra, Jade and Amira; Jonathan (Sydney); Lily; Audrina and Cyril; and Aren; their great-grandson Porter; and his siblings: Darlene, Gail, Sheila (Abe) and Wes (Karen). They will dearly miss Larry, his welcoming smile and cheerful heart.

Larry firmly believed in Heaven and will now be full of strength & energy, free of the wasteful ALS disease that had deprived him. He will be spending copious amounts of time reuniting with his parents, John & Elma; his younger brother, Ted; and his daughter, little Sharon.

Larry was a journeyman carpenter and a mentor to many, including siblings, neighbours, and his children. His work included cladding many of Winnipeg’s houses in siding, building their decks, stairs and basement frostwalls. When he built a house for his family, he logged the lumber and completed virtually every piece by his own hand. He always pushed himself to do everything he possibly could, right until the end.

Larry loved his family, their Hadashville farm, Israel, the church, music, books and games. He was happiest driving a combine at harvest, and when he could see family & friends experience the joy of the Lord. This is why he would play guitar and sing for us every chance that he got. He loved to play board games, and tell us jokes from Readers Digest. His other favourite books include Christian history, books of prophecy, and Louis L’Amour’s frontier westerns.

In his younger days, his favourite music included Simon & Garfunkel, as well as The Beatles. Then for decades he would lead the church in singing hymns & worship songs with the fullness of his voice. He was generously supportive.

Larry liked to travel. In their golden years, he and Theresa flew to Cuba, Europe and Israel.

Larry would proudly tell how, during the Jesus People movement in the seventies, the formation of Israel helped convince him to turn his life around, from weed and alcohol, to the loving God of his Pentecostal-Mennonite parents. And it was at this time God reunited him with his beloved Theresa, a French Catholic nurse. He would love her sincerely and sing her praises until the very end.

A gathering to remember Larry will be planned at a later date.