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Susanna FRIESEN

July 11, 2007

Susanna (Klassen)

March 23, 1928 – July 11, 2007


Sue Friesen was born March 23, 1928 in Winkler, Manitoba, the 10th of 12 siblings, to Herman and Helena Klassen shortly after her parents came from Russia. When she was one year old her parents bought a big farm in Clair, Saskatchewan, where she spent her happy childhood years and attended a one room schoolhouse. Here she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and Lord as a young child while attending Daily Vacation Bible School.

On September 8, 1937 (at 9 years old) Susie was diagnosed with polio, and was hospitalized in Wadena, Saskatchewan. Given that this was harvest time, she didn’t have one visitor during her 3 week stay in the hospital and became very homesick. In December she was sent to Gray Nuns Hospital in Regina for ­further treatment. Susie recover­ed with muscle waste in her left leg leaving her with a pronounced limp that would stay with her for the rest of her life.

In November 1942 the family moved to a dairy farm on Ross Road, in Abbotsford, British Columbia where she attended the Mt Lehman School. She was baptized on July 16, 1944 by CC Peters and joined the Clearbrook MB Church. Sue was very happy to be able to attend Bible School for several years, singing in trios and the choir.

In 1956 she met Jack Friesen, they fell in love and were married on June 30, 1957. Jack and Sue purchased a home in Sardis, and started their married life together, joining the Greendale MB Church. 2 children were born to them in Sardis – Alan and Iris. After living there for 10 years, they sold the place and in 1968 they moved to Clearbrook so that their children could attend the Mennonite Educational Institute. Jack and Sue joined the Bakerview MB Church at that time, and they have been faithful members for the past 38 years. Sue loved her church very much, and made every effort to serve, singing in choirs, and in various other ways.

Sue has always loved to sing, teaching her children and grandchildren many songs, and singing in many choirs until her health no longer allowed it.

Losing Jack just over 3 years ago, her life’s partner of 46 years was a very difficult time for her. Building on the strength of character that came from her battles with her health, she again determined to make a life for herself and be a positive role model for her children and grandchildren. She was determined to become a great-grand-mother, and was blessed with a great grandson just one year ago.

In April of 2006, Sue took a nasty fall and broke a hip, starting a downward slide in her health over the past year. After surgery and a short stay at Bevan Lodge, she spent her last months at Sherwood Crescent home where she quietly slipped into the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ. No more pain, no more suffering – and no more limp!

Sue is predeceased by her husband Jack, her parents, her grandchild Luke Friesen, and 9 of her siblings. She is survived by her son, Alan, (wife Martha), her daughter Iris (husband Ken), grandchildren Joseph (and Sheila) Falk, Jared (and Shanna) Falk, Joshua Falk, James Falk, Jennifer Falk, Ryan Friesen, and one great grandson, Caleb Falk. She is also survived by 2 sisters, Mary (husband Dave) Schmidt, and Helen (husband Dave) Neufeld, and 6 sister in laws – Helen Doerksen, Rose Berg, Thelma Byddevaate, Frieda (husband Jake) Born, Katie Hagen, Gloria (husband Leonard) O’Brien, and Irene (husband Les) Friesen, and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside service to take place at McLure Rd. Cemetery, 33900 Maclure Rd., Abbotsford at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 18, with a Memorial Service at Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church 2285 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford at 11:00 am, fellowship lunch to follow.

Personal Alternative Funeral Services

604-857-5779



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