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Peter Jay Friesen passed away at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, Sask. on April 5th, 2008. Peter was born on January 13, 1930 on the family farm at McMahon, Sask. He completed his grade schooling by correspondence and then ordered and completed the correspondence course “Watch Repairing and How to Start Your Own Business”. Peter became an authorized dealer for Bulova watches and Westinghouse appliances and a successful 29-year career was launched. Peter also invested in real estate and was co-owner of a travel agency for three years. Throughout his career and into his retirement, Peter loved to travel. This passion fulfilled a childhood dream and allowed him to see the wonders of the world and the cultures in sixty-four different countries with the help of nephews and close friends. As a child he was interested in geography and history and he was very grateful that his dreams became a reality. Some of the highlights of his traveling were flying on the Concorde and in total his trips were the equivalent of flying13 times around the world. In his memoirs he wrote how he admired the golden wheat fields of his childhood and also the wonders of nature around the world. When describing the beautiful gardens he had visited around the world he was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also he has put eternity in their hearts, except that no man can find out the work that God does from beginning to end”. He thanked God for his life and for the promise of a glorious future life. Peter studied the catechism in confirmation class and became a child of God when he was baptized at the age of 21. His quiet faith was practiced through actions towards his family and friends. Family was important to Peter and he planned reunions at Christmas and the first of July for many years. He made invitations and sent them to all his nieces and nephews every year for the Christmas Get-Togethers. Peter loved life and this was evident by the satisfaction and pleasure he displayed when meeting and conversing with the people in his life. He performed the duties of President and Treasurer of the Condo Association in his building for many years and enjoyed the close-knit coffee group. Complaining was not in his nature even though life in a wheelchair was difficult and challenging at best. He always appreciated your visit and when you left his house he always asked you to come again. Peter’s full life and positive attitude were an inspiration to those who knew him. Peter was predeceased by his father, John, in 1949; his mother, Helena, in 1964; two brothers and their wives, Abe (Helen) Friesen, Jake (Elizabeth) Friesen; one sister and her husband, Tena (John) Peters; and by brothers-in-law, Ernie Funk, and George Banman. He is survived by one brother, John (Susie) Friesen; three sisters, Helen Banman, Marie Funk, Eva (Arnold) Lang, all of Swift Current; Peter is also survived by twenty-five nieces, nephews and their families. A graveside funeral was held in Rosenort Cemetery with Rev. Buhler officiating. The pallbearers were Jake Friesen, Stan Friesen, Dale Peters, Jerry Funk, Wayne Erlandson, and Mark Evenson. Memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Society. Swift Current Funeral Home was in care of arrangements. |
