Lawrence Friesen

Lawrence Penner Friesen was born on September 22, 1934, to Cornelius and Katherine Friesen at Steinbach MB. He peacefully passed away at the Maplewood Manor on November 10, 2021 reaching his 87th birthday.

Dad spent his growing up years with his siblings on the family farm south of Steinbach. He told us about his many hours hoeing beets and harrowing behind the horses. He gave his heart to God in his youth and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Steinbach. His longing to be faithful and to be with Jesus in eternity never left him to his last day.

On June 7, 1959 he married our mother, Eva Reimer. They were blessed with 5 sons and 2 daughters. On July 7, 1989, one month after their 30th anniversary, mother passed away due to a lengthy battle with cancer. On March 11, 1990, he married Wilma Friesen from Almena, Wisconsin.   They enjoyed 31 years together and we are so grateful dad was not alone.

We remember him as a hard-working farmer and carpenter, and was known for his innovative fix jobs. If dad couldn't fix it, nobody could! We have good memories of working together, with dad leading the pack. Family times include singing together and story time in the evening with him reading aloud to us all. He sang a lot, while working, or driving, or whenever throughout the day.

Dad’s love of adventure took us to different places in our growing up years. We lived in 3 different provinces over the course of our growing up. Family trips were also high on his agenda and we have many memories of our travels. The most memorable being a trip to Belize with 7 people riding in a 1974 single cab, 3/4 ton Ford pickup!

We are confident that we know where to find Dad, and it is our goal to meet him in Heaven where our mother and 2 brothers who died in infancy are already waiting for us.

Those left to cherish his memories are; his wife Wilma, Weldon and friend Esther of Surrey, BC, Sharon and Jim Toews, Kleefeld, MB, Lewis and Lois, St Mary's, Ont, Kevin and Liz, Brunner, Ont, Bonita Friesen, Carrot River, SK., Daughter- in- law Dawn Friesen. 18 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Also stepchildren: Ken and Devonna Friesen, Mt. Pleasant, Kentucky, Valerie and Tim Peaster and Galen and Leanne Friesen both from Almena, Wisconsin, Jolene and Dan Peaster, Stapleton, Georgia, and Charlene and Jack Cannedy, Milton, Iowa, 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  1 brother and 2 sisters.

He was predeceased by his wife and 2 sons, parents and parents in law, infant grandson, 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

We as a family want to express our appreciation to the manor staff for the excellent care given to Dad. God bless you.

A public come and go viewing will be held on Monday November 15, 2021 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm at Crossings Funeral Care. The family invites you to listen to the private worship service at 10:30 am on Tuesday November 16, 2021 by logging in to www.listentochurch.com/listen/kleefeld. The family would also like to invite you to listen to the livestream of the committal service at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. A private interment will follow in the Steinbach Memorial Cemetery.