Klass Friesen

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather Klass Friesen. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, he left us peacefully from his earthly home to his heavenly home, and we rejoice in knowing that he was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and reunited with family and friends who have gone before him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Linda, his children and grandchildren Mark (Christie) Friesen, Jacob (Amanda), Riley, Morgan, Sam, Will and Ella; Tanya Friesen, Liam and Keira; Julie (Scott) Williamson, Norah, Joe and Lucy; Lois (Jonathan) Thiessen, Zoe and Layla, as well as several siblings, their spouses, nieces and nephews and many cherished friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, several siblings, his son Jonathan and granddaughter Hannah. Dad didn’t have any in-laws; everyone that joined the family was his family.

Dad was born on November 25, 1948, to Cornelius P & Marie Friesen. He was the 7th of 11 children and spent the early years of his childhood in Ste. Anne, until the age of 9 when the family moved to Riverton where they farmed. After finishing high school, he obtained his diesel mechanic and pilot’s licenses. He and Mom were married on June 15, 1974, and the first years of their marriage were spent logging in the winter and farming in the summer. To Dad farming was a family affair. All his children were taught the skills needed to care for the animals, whether it be feeding, watching the gates, castrating, vaccinating or cutting the icy chunks of shit off their tails. It was not unusual to find all his children, and later their spouses and their kids on the field with him swathing, baling or hauling straw to Erosion Control. Besides farming dad wore many other hats during those years. He was very involved in the local 4-H club, served as an ambulance attendant, and as a board member of the Feeder Co-op to name a few.

After selling the family farm, Mom and Dad spent several years serving with Living Hope Native Ministry caring for their camp facilities at Stormer Lake in Northwestern Ontario. Dad also spent a couple of years in Bissett, MB., working for Wynne Drilling, fixing, fabricating and taking care of whatever odd jobs needed to be done. With farming being in his blood Dad couldn’t stay away from cattle and hay too long, and in 2014 they bought what was supposed to be a small hobby farm in Vermillion Bay Ontario, but doing things in a small way wasn’t really Dad’s style. This allowed him to keep his rubber boots dirty and his days busy. If farming didn’t keep him busy enough, he was also happy taking care of maintenance needs at Eagle Lake Bible Camp. In 2023 they returned to Manitoba and “retired” in Blumenort. Dad’s idea of retirement was growing way too many cucumbers and doting on his grandchildren with mischievous whit. Through life, Mom and Dad were a team. Farming, caring for others, cooking and gardening, these things were all done side by side, even if just meant Mom watching him with adoration.

Dad wasn’t a man to preach with his words, but his life of loving and caring for others embodied the love of Jesus. No matter where his home was the door was always open. He welcomed those that needed a place to stay and enjoyed the company of many visitors. He loved to feed people, serve them coffee, share with them his passion for farming and most of all he loved to listen, often with tears of empathy. He developed rich friendships wherever he was and cherished each one with his whole heart. He left us an invaluable legacy of love, humility and compassion.

Dad loved many and will by missed my many.

The livestreamed funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., at Blumenort Community Church, 59 Center Ave, Blumenort, MB., with viewing one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at the Blumenort Community Church Cemetery, Blumenort, MB.