Ethel Sarah Friesen of Moose Jaw passed away on April 3, 2013 at the age of 71, at Moose Jaw Union Hospital. Ethel was born in the R.M. of Glenella, Manitoba and raised on the family farm at Riding Mountain, Manitoba. She attended school at Oak Leaf and Kelwood, Manitoba and later attended Teachers' College in Winnipeg and pursued a degree at the University of Brandon and the University of Regina. Ethel married Ken Russell in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba where they started their family. They later moved to Brandon and then Moose Jaw. Ken and Ethel had long satisfying careers in education. They enjoyed travelling with their friends and family and nurturing their acreage outside of Moose Jaw. After Ken's passing, Ethel worked part-time at SIAST in Moose Jaw for several years. She later married Blake Friesen and they had an enjoyable retirement. Ethel and Blake enjoyed cruises with their many friends and also travelled extensively in North America on road trips. Ethel enjoyed her winter home in Mesa, Arizona and the community of friends and activities she learned to know there. She will be forever remembered by her family and friends for the love and care provided. As well, her former colleagues from her various work places were very important to her. Ethel had a strong faith for which she found support from her participation in the Kindred Sisters Group at Minto Church. Ethel showed great courage in her struggles over the past year and was very thankful for the compassion showed by the staff at the Allen Blair Cancer Clinic as well as the nurses at the hospital in Moose Jaw. She is predeceased by her parents Frank (Roy) Smith and Ethel (Fern) Smith, and first husband Ken Russell. Ethel is survived by her husband Blake Friesen, children Rick (Myrna) Russell, Tamara Rossie, Chris (Lorena) Friesen, Jean (Tyler) Moore and Tim (Natalia) Friesen; grandchildren Chris, Paige and Marissa Rossie; Lisa Murphy, Chris Keber, Sarah and Erica Russell; Jack and Eric Friesen; Emma and Lane Moore; and Adrian Friesen; and great-grandchildren Madison and Colin Murphy; sisters Irma Howard, Margaret (Wally) Madsen, Dora Pelk, and Judy (Ron) Plett; and many nieces and nephews. A Service of Remembrance will be held at Minto United Church on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 1:30 PM with Della Ferguson officiating. Memorialization will take place at Prairie Memorial Columbarium. For those so wishing memorial donations may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society. Flowers are gratefully declined. In living memory of Ethel, a memorial planting will be made by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register book at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Gerry Mitchell Funeral Director