Henrietta Friesen

Henrietta (Braun) Friesen, age 95, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2018 at the Herbert Nursing Home, Herbert, SK. Her life began in a village in Orenburg, Russia on December 20, 1922. When Henrietta was two, she immigrated to Canada with her parents, Jacob J. & Agatha Braun, along with her four-year-old brother, John. They settled on the farm west of Beechy, SK where Henrietta grew up with three brothers and five sisters. She met the love of her life, Peter Friesen (from Gouldtown, SK), when he was working for her dad, and they were married three years later in 1942.

Their first home was just two miles from her parents, where they farmed for six years and started their family. Farming opportunities included a total of four moves — from Beechy, to Gouldtown, and then Main Centre — with retirement to Swift Current in 1974. Peter & Henrietta enjoyed 60 years of marriage and were blessed with seven children, ten grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren. Aside from the hard work and chores on the farm, Henrietta’s special skills and hobbies included flowers, gardening, sewing, quilting and reading. She often “lost track of time” while working in her beautiful gardens, and later enjoyed sharing perennials with her granddaughters.

Henrietta was very creative and completed exquisite handiwork, winning prizes at local fairs in her youth. She made beautiful flowers of soft papers, some of which were used for wedding bouquets. She was a skilled seamstress, initially sewing for her sisters, and then for her daughters. An expert quilter, Henrietta made all her children and grandchildren beautiful keepsakes with her hand stitched quilts and in retirement was active with the church ladies quilting group. She also loved to read and enjoyed sharing her books with family and friends.  

Peter & Henrietta enjoyed traveling together, some of their destinations included Europe, Hawaii, Eastern Canada, California, and numerous trips to BC to visit family and friends. Her community service included volunteering at the MCC Store, delivering Meals-on-Wheels, and hosting church-sponsored refugees. Henrietta’s faith was quiet, but strong and steadfast. She cherished the opportunity to attend one year of Bible School in Herbert in her late teens and encouraged her children to also attend Bible School. She endured many hardships without complaint — “He holds the reason why” — is written in the back of her well used Bible. She was a member of Bridgeway Community Church for 43 years.

Henrietta was predeceased by her husband, Peter Friesen (2003); her daughter, Viola Friesen; her granddaughter, Tanya Harder; her son-in-Law, Allen Harder; her parents, Jacob J. Braun & Agatha Braun; her siblings, John Braun, Corny Braun, and Katie Braun; her brothers-in-law, Jake Sawatzky and Allen Bellamy; and by all of Peter’s brothers and sisters. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren;

Darlene (Gerry) Penner — Pam (Darryl) Sly (Jesse, Megan, Morgan, and Mackenzie) and Bonnie Penner (Iman, Amin, and Mina);
Bill (Donna) Friesen — Cory (Deanna) Friesen, Craig (Anna) Friesen (Ella and Lily), and Candace Calder (Boston and Brooklyn);
Jack (Yvonne) Friesen — Rachelle (Cam) Gitzel (Rylee, Reece, Caleb, and Mathias) and Tammy Klassen (Tyrus and Finlay);
Judith Henrietta Friesen;
Linda (Wessel) Kriel — Jason (Lacey) Harder (Halstyn and Navi);
Peggy (Graham) Smart — Thomas Smart.

Henrietta is also survived by her brother and sisters, Jake (Joyce) Braun, Agatha Sawatzky, Sarah Froese, Leona (Dale) Warner, and Betty Bellamy; her sisters-in-law, Myrna Braun and Hertha Martens; and by numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Kassett and the staff at the Herbert Integrated Healthcare Facility for their kindness and compassionate care provided to our Mom for the last five and a half years.

The Celebration of Life for Henrietta Friesen was held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 2:00 pm from Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Bob Cappelle officiating. “What a Day That Will Be,” “Blessed Assurance,” “To God be the Glory,” and “Amazing Grace” were sung by the congregation under the leadership of John Redekop, with Leanne McConnell serving as pianist and Sheila Braun serving as organist. Special music, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” was brought by Barry Dueck (nephew) and Norma Wiebe (niece). The eulogy was given by Jack Friesen (son). Psalm 23 was read by Thomas Smart (grandson) and Proverbs 31:10-31, “The Wife/Mother of Noble Character,” by Heather Bellamy (niece).  Tributes were given by Henrietta’s Grandchildren. A photo presentation was played as prelude. The ushers in the church were Brian Braun, Blair Braun, Blaine Warner, Harvey Schulz, and Harry Friesen (Nephews). The Private Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Henrietta’s Grandchildren serving as Pallbearers.

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