Elisabeth Friesen (nee Reimer)

Obituary

Elisabeth Reimer Friesen, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother passed away Monday, November 23, 2020, at Resthaven Nursing Home, Steinbach, MB, after a brief illness. She was 99.

She is survived by nine children: Wilbert (Hilda), Florence, Dennis (Louella), Elda (Darren Palmer), Leona (Mike Kroeker), Ray (Ula Nieuwejaar), Corinne (Rick Loewen), Louise (Peter Dueck), Jim (Rhonda); grandchildren, Dale & Char, Patrick & Trudy, Mo & Karen, Kerri & Sheldon, Joelle & Aaron, Andrew, Shannon & Grant, Mike & Dianne, Andrea, David, Jo & Heather, Derek & Issa, Donovan & Crystal, Chad & Gabrielle, Alexander & Claudia, Erica, Benjamin, Jessica, Erik & Katrina, Emma, Matthew & Breanne, Laura, and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Jared & Waiyola, Jesse & Paulina, Lukas, Levi & Cassie, Kirsten, Hannah, Adriana & Mark, Cameron, Adam, Jareth, Nicole, Jason, Leyton, Jacob, William, Alfie, Ron, Rusty, Evelyn, Élise, Nève, Noah, Kendra; great-great-grandchildren, Norah, Olivia, Milo, Emma, RynnLeigh.

She was predeceased by her husband Albert, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, one granddaughter, one great-grandson, two sisters and seven brothers.

Our Mom was a geriatric nurse before she married our Dad at age 39 and took on his family of seven children. A year after marriage they welcomed Louise, and two years later Jim. She was always a career woman at heart, but adopted the role of wife, mother and home-maker with resourcefulness and a sense of adventure. A pioneer in many ways, she, at age 24, was asked to be the matron of Rest Haven – the very nursing home in which she died. She helped start an MCC Thrift Store in southern Manitoba. Her compassion and care were experienced by family and the less fortunate in her gifts of home-baked bread, garden produce, in securing legal documents, and best of all, by her singing with Dad and her cousins. She passed on her love of four-part harmony to her family! Mother’s faith in the Lord was her anchor in life. She often struggled, feeling inadequate in her role as step-mom, but always she modeled perseverance and integrity, finding answers in Scripture and prayer. She was a two-time cancer survivor and a huge encouragement to others on the same journey. She and Dad served as deacons at Kleefeld EMC for many years. People were important to her, and she served tirelessly, be it for an immigrant or a Home-Care client. Mother loved to travel and whether it was to the Whiteshell for family camping, or a trip to Ecuador as working mission visitors at a hospital in the jungle, she served enthusiastically. She cared deeply for her kids, affirming them in educational pursuits. No task was ever too small for her, whether shelling peas outside on the grass with her little brood, or later putting on Christmas cookie bakes for her grandkids. She was an avid writer, composing poetry as well as a daily diary for over 75 years. Her years at Resthaven were made peaceful by staff providing loving care as she battled dementia and declining communication capacity. But it is finished; her battle is done! We will miss you at Christmas, dear Mom, but we believe you are at peace in eternal rest, free of all burdens.

The family expresses deep gratitude to the dedicated staff at Rest Haven Nursing home, and to Dr. Trinh, for caring for mom over 11 1/2 years, and especially during the last two weeks of her battle with COVID-19.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven Group (Rest Haven Nursing Home) or a charity of one’s choice.

A private family burial will take place on Friday, November 27, 2020, at Kleefeld EMC cemetery.

A private family memorial will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel at 3 p.m. December 1, 2020. Please visit the Birchwood website for details.

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