Anne Friesen

Anne Friesen was born on February 7, 1947, in Warman SK. She was the first of eleven children born to Abram and Sarah Reddekopp. She grew up in the communities of Saskatoon, Martensville and West of Blumenheim. Mom attended elementary school at Mayfair School and Henry Kelsey School in Saskatoon and high school in Martensville and Osler.

Mom was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ at the Reinfeldt Bergthaler Church in Spring of 1966. In August of that same year, she married the love of her life Henry Friesen. 

They resided in Warman for the first five years of their marriage where the eldest two children Richard and Theressa were born. In 1971 the family moved to a farm near the river East of Osler where they dairy farmed for the next nearly 30 years. It was while living here that Stanley and Kristi completed the family.

Our Mom was suited to farm life. She was the extension of Dad’s right arm, and extremely hard working and dedicated to all the chores, including milking cows, feeding calves, tending to a large garden as well as the canning and preserving that follows at the end each season. She was an excellent seamstress, she sewed her own wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses for family, as well as living room drapes and curtains. Mom was amazing at a lot of the tasks she put her mind to, but our absolute favorite was her apple pie!

Mom was diagnosed with Diabetes in 1975, this was a life changing event for her. Requiring insulin each day, mom spent many months in hospital as the doctors tried to figure out the best method of regulating her blood sugar. It was during these hospital times that Mom shared her love for Jesus with others whenever the opportunity was there. 

When she returned home, Mom carried on working as hard as ever and raising kids and farming right up until they moved off the farm in June 2000. In May 2001 she suffered a severe stroke which immobilized the right side of her body to the point of fully requiring a wheelchair. This did not stop Mom, her trust in the Lord, strong will and determination to walk again were steadfast. God answered our prayers, she did walk again, also taught herself how to write with her left hand. She would write notes and scripture verses and leave them all over the house – what a blessing these were to us when we came over and read these! 

Mom cherished each of her grandchildren very much so much in fact that she didn’t get mad at them when they would somewhat recklessly at times, driver her golf cart till the battery was done! Another one of her favorite activities was swimming! We all have fond memories of spending time at Hot Springs, YWCA or any of the many other lakes or swimming pools we went to.

In 2003 Mom and Dad moved to an acreage along the river, East of Blumenheim. Mom absolutely loved living there watching the birds, wildlife, and sunrises. Unfortunately, a spine infection in 2021 severely impacted her to the point where she was no longer able to walk. She moved into the Warman Mennonite Special Care Home in December of that year. Her inability to walk was devastating, but once again she accepted her new surroundings and we witnessed contentment and peace in her that was truly a blessing from God!

Mom and Dad enjoyed many vacations together with family and friends. These included camping trips in BC, vacations to Hawaii, Grand Cayman, cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Alaska. These trips were great however, Mom was just as happy to go for a drive with Dad to meet friends and family for coffee or a meal at a restaurant. This even continued to some degree after she was in the care home as Dad took her out with the accessible van – she loved these outings! 

Thank you to the wonderful, caring employees of the Special Care Home where she received excellent care for nearly three years. Also, a special thank you to the church family and many special friends who prayed, brought food and took time to visit. These acts of kindness were greatly appreciated!

Mom knew her days on this earth were nearing the end and she longed to go meet Jesus. She told each of us this many times. In the early morning hours of October 23, her prayers were answered as the angels came peacefully and took her home while she slept. We will miss you dear Mother, but we rejoice in your freedom in Glory!

Anne is lovingly survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Henry Friesen; Children; Richard (Cheryl) Friesen; Theressa (David) Braun; Stanley (Ashley) Friesen; Kristi (Leander) Peters. Grandchildren: Jessica & Jaelynn Friesen; Ryan Braun, Ranelle (Rhett) Lesmeister; Shayden, Kaitlyn, Draiden, Logan Friesen; Liam & Dawson Peters. Great-granddaughter – Bronlyn Anne Lesmeister.

Siblings: Betty Wiebe, Leonard (Shirley), Linda Rempel, George (Connie), Wayne (Belinda), Ken (Susan), Marilyn (John) Guenther, Carol (Raymond) Penner, Kate (Kelvin) Fehr, Nettie (Richard) Buhler.

She was predeceased by her parents: Abram and Sarah; Brothers-in-law, Irwin Rempel and Isaac Wiebe; Sister-in-law, Sarah Reddekopp and 4 nephews.https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/99074

Anne's Viewing will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at the Martens Warman Funeral Home, 402 Central Street West, Warman, SK. Funeral Service will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the Bergthaler Mennonite Church, 206 2nd Street, Warman, SK. Interment to follow at the Warman Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  If you were unable to attend Anne's Funeral Service, please click the following link: https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/99074

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with Anne's arrangements and care.