Katherine Friesen (nee Froese), our beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, cousin and dear friend, was suddenly ushered into her Lord¹s presence on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at nearly 93 years of age. She was born to Johan G. and Aganetha (Neustaeter) Froese on July 9th, 1921 on their homestead in the village of Schoenfeld, SK. At the age of 8, she began attending Maharg School, ³that¹s Graham spelled backwards². Her favorite subject was spelling, ³because I was good at it.² She loved to play outdoor games like ³corners², ³last sheep run² or ³last couple out² and enjoyed presenting recitations and ³real good plays². Most of all, she loved picnics and strumming the guitar. At age 14, she ³snuck away from school². She very much loved the village life and her close friends Agnes Zacharias and Susie Kehler. Sadly, when she was just 15, life took a drastic turn ³one bitter cold December day², when her mother passed away. In October of 1946, she married George J. Friesen. Together they started a farm SE of Wymark, SK where they would raise their family. Katie was born to be a farmer¹s wife. Her love was of nature and animals, more than of housework. Cattle, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs, and even a sheep named ³Matza², who would go into her pocket for dry bread at milking time, were her sheer enjoyment. She would often sneak out to feed the animals again after the chores had already been done. Summer evenings were meant for weeding and herding cattle. She stayed very busy milking, butchering, tending a big garden, cooking, baking, making homemade soups, jams, and canning fruits and vegetables. She loved all garden produce, but had a special passion for dill, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and sour leaves! Many hours were spent chewing sunflower seeds, reading recipe books and paging through seed catalogues. Her favorite flowers were pansies ³with the nice faces,² which she would carefully gather and press. She was still terrifically fond of picnics, warm summer evenings, gazing at the moon, and kittens. She kept watch of family happenings, the weather, and stayed in touch with phone calls about them, crop and garden progress, in-season fruit, family pets, recipes she¹d love to try and dill! In 1979, Dad¹s health forced a move to Swift Current that was in no way easy for Mom. She eventually adapted, though her heart remained forever in the country. They soon connected with friends and many a good-natured visiting/quilting session filled her time. On July 16, 1985, Dad passed away. This was a difficult time, but she proved resilient again, and her faith, family and friends helped her through. In May, 1999, she moved into The Pioneer Manor where she lived contentedly until her passing. Mom¹s joy was her family, but her very personal relationship and abiding faith in Jesus Christ was her true legacy. After accepting Christ, and publicly confessing their faith, Mom and Dad were baptized in the early 60¹s and attended Rhineland Christian Fellowship Church until their move to Swift Current. The last years she drew still closer to her Savior as she spent hours watching or listening to her favorite gospel programs and reading her Bible and devotionals. Each night, she would go to bed with her radio set to Brother John¹s ³Night Watch² and she thoroughly enjoyed attending his 40th anniversary celebration a few weeks ago. Mom loved her family dearly and fervently prayed over her great concerns. Though her heart was often heavy, she leaned on her belief that God would answer her prayers for them. She leaves to mourn: Julie (Lyle) Johnston - Lyndon (Amanda), Nathan, Braden, Joshua and Callie: Laurence (Marci), Cole and Samantha: Leon (Joy), Gareth, Verity, Anna and Jacobus: Lowell (Paula), Reese and Paige: Tracy (Trevor) Brisbin, Cain, Seth and Torin; Gloria (Allen) Parker - Gerri (Shaynee) Modien, Hayley and Carson: Melissa, Leslie (Colleen), Nate and James; Randy Friesen - Nathan and April; Marilyn Kamp - Joshua; Bonnie (Barry) Dueck - Seth and Kaitlyn; in-laws John and Helen Friesen, Jim Friesen and Elma Fehr; extra-special nieces, Joyce (John) Hildebrandt and Norma (Frank) Funk; and her kindred spirits, cousin Nellie Funk and Annie Janzen; and many beloved friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Johan and Aganetha Froese; her parents-in-law, Jacob and Tina Friesen; her husband, George; all her siblings and their spouses, Agnes and John Lange, Margaret and Isaac Hildebrand, John and Elizabeth Froese and Sarah and Henry Friesen; nieces, Mary Cook, Linda Krause and Virginia Meggait; sisters-in-law, Mary Friesen and Helen M. Friesen; and brother-in-law, Isaac Fehr. Our hearts are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our sunshineŠ a most gorgeous spirit with faith that moved mountains. The five ³extra² years given to us since her last very serious illness, while beyond treasured, were still never enough. Those many quirky expressions and frequent parties she so loved to throw will now be the sweetest memories for us to cherish until we join her for that ultimate celebration without end. Together we¹ll dance for our Redeemer, the only Giver of ³festive praise instead of despair²! Farewell for now dearest Momma go have the best picnic ever!
The Funeral Service was held on Friday, June 20, 2014, at 2:00 pm from the Christian Fellowship Church, Rhineland, SK with Pastor Rob Winslow officiating. The pianist for the service was Leona Knelson. Chosen music for the processional was ³I Know My Redeemer Lives² (Nicole C Mullen). Special music was brought by John Regier, Ben & Helena Funk singing, ³How Beautiful Heaven Must Be² and ³The River². The eulogy was shared by Leslie Parker with a tribute to Grandma brought by the grandchildren singing, ³It Is Well With My Soul² and by a Photo Presentation. ³Redeemed² was sung by the congregation under the direction of John Regier, Ben & Helena Funk. The ushers in the church were Dale Friesen and Frank Funk. The Interment Service was held at the Christian Fellowship Church Cemetery, Rhineland, SK with the following grandchildren serving as pallbearers, Lyndon Johnston, Laurence Johnston, Leon Johnston, Lowell Johnston, Tracy Brisbin, Gerri Modien, Leslie Parker, Melissa Parker, Nathan Friesen, April Friesen, Joshua Kamp, Seth Dueck and Kaitlyn Dueck. In memory of Katie Friesen, donations made to Samaritan¹s Purse or to the SPCA would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to leave a personal message of condolence on the familyŒs obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com