Leanna Friesen
Obituary
Leanna Peterson Wohlgemuth Friesen, my dear wife, our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was born to Henry and Edna Wohlgemuth on January 20, 1936 at Steinbach, MB. After a difficult battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, the angels gently carried her home on August 11, 2018 at the age of 82 years.
Mom’s early childhood was spent in Ste. Anne, MB next to the Ste. Anne Co-op where her Dad worked. The family relocated to a farm in the Greenland area where she spent many happy hours working and playing as she grew to adulthood.
At a young age, Mom gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized on November 1, 1948. This faith was precious to her, and she embraced it to the end.
On December 18, 1959, Mom was joined in marriage to our Dad, Herb Friesen, sharing the joys and sorrows of life for 58 years. Their home was blessed with two daughters and three sons. Their first years were spent in Greenland, MB and St. Mary’s, ON. In 1967, they settled near Elma, MB, where they raised their family.
Mom had a caring heart, touching many lives everywhere she went. This led her to give of her time by teaching school in Mexico before she was married. After the family left home, Dad and Mom spent several months in Coleman, AB and in New York City at Sugar Hill Mission making many dear friends.
Mom spent countless hours singing as she sat at her sewing machine, tended her garden and cared for her family.
In the last years as Mom’s health continued to decline, she graciously gave up her independence. The last few months Mom and Dad spent in Steinbach at the Maplewood Manor where Mom received excellent care.
Those left to cherish fond memories are her beloved husband, Herb Friesen; her children: Byron and Lavonne, Hadashville, MB; Maxine and Gerald Toews, Elma, MB; Rick and Lana, Elma, MB; Don and Sally, Langton, ON; and Patricia and Lowell Penner, Landmark, MB; 23 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren. Seven sisters, Matilda Wohlgemuth, Steinbach, MB; Eileen and Rennie Wiebe, Ste. Anne, MB; Nina and Orville Friesen, Cartwright, MB; Vivian Bartel, Bredenbury, SK; Henrietta and Jesse Friesen, Ste. Anne, MB; Florence and Ralph Warkentin, Saltcoats, SK; Martha and Gary Warkentin, Ste. Anne, MB; three brothers, Linden and Alice, Neepawa, MB; Ron and Mildred, Aylesford, NS; Myrle and Ethelyn, Centreville, NB; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Marcella Friesen, Roblin, MB; Earvey and Tina Friesen, Rosenort, MB; Darlene Ensz, Steinbach, MB; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, an infant brother, three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
We as a family, would like to give special thanks for the loving care mom and dad received at the Maplewood Manor.
The viewing service will be held on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. Viewing starts at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ, Twin Rivers Church, MB-506, Hadashville, MB.
