Rudy Friesen

Rudy Friesen of Abbotsford, B.C., died in Royal Columbian Hospital on August 20, 2022 after a fourth heart attack in three weeks.
Rudy was born in Taishet near Lake Baikal, Russia, on October 1, 1955 to Jacob and Frieda Friesen. The family moved to Tajikistan where he grew up with six younger siblings. They emigrated to Canada in November 1972. Rudy worked for a few years before attending Prairie Bible College for three years. He met his future wife Trudy at the youth group in King Road MB church. They were married September 3, 1977 and had three children, Michael Simon in 1979, Deborah Irene in 1981, and Luke Alexander in 1983.
Rudy worked at Columbia Kitchen Cabinets for 17 years. In 1990 he earned his Class One air brakes licence, and started a 25-year career as a long-haul driver, criss-crossing the continent as an enthusiastic and congenial member of the trucker community.
Rudy was the proud grandfather of Isaac, Camden, Charlotte, Ty, Annika, and Judith. He loved music, reading, meeting new people and swapping humorous stories, and helping people in difficulty. He was appreciated for his kindness and his humour, and admired for his unwavering loyalty to his family.
He adored camping trips with his family in Manning Park and laughing at the antics of small family members and pets. In recent years, he appreciated Afghani food which prompted him to share memories of his childhood in Tajikistan.
He is survived by his wife Trudy Friesen, his children Michael Friesen, Deborah Friesen (Jennifer Klinck) and Luke (Heather) Friesen, and his siblings Henry Friesen, Frieda Janzen, Ed Friesen (Jane Oldham), Erika Friesen (Richard Ratzlaff), Mari Friesen (Ernst Amstutz), Art (Cynthia) Friesen, his sister-in-law Irene (Werner) Wiens, his brother-in-law Gerhard Friesen and ten nephews and nieces. Predeceased by his parents Jacob and Frieda (Penner) Friesen, his parents-in-law Isaac and Lily (Vogt) Friesen, his older sister Louise Friesen, and his nephew Marcus Friesen.
The Visitation was held on Friday, August 26, 7-8 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home.
All are welcome to attend the Funeral Service at King Road MB Church on August 31st, 2022 at 11am, followed by a reception in the church hall.