Edith Friesen

Edith was born to Otto and Lisbet (Dyck) Friesen on the family farm near Carlton, SK. She joined her brother Benno who was just 14 months older. When Benno started school, he would come home every day and teach her what he had learned. When it came time to start school she skipped grade one because she already knew everything. Younger brother Paul joined the family 5 1/2 years after Edith.      

Edith enjoyed attending Riverlot School and loved reading, recitations, singing and track and field events. She earned the nickname long-legged Riverlot after beating a girl from another school in a race who then exclaimed to her mother "That long-legged Riverlot, she beat me".

Edith attended Tiefengrund Church and was baptized in June 1947 at age 16.  After her school days were over Edith worked on the family farm and on different farms in the area as maid or housekeeper. She even worked on the farm where Walter grew up. She worked 2 winters in Manitoba, one in Winkler staying with Oma Friesen and Aunt Edith. The next winter she was a "Maid of all work" as she put it, for the Graham family on Yale Ave in Winnipeg.

Walter and Edith were married July 31, 1952 at Tiefengrund Church and celebrated 53 years together. They lived and farmed in Carrot River for 50 years, moving from a small house on the "Old Place", to a farm closer to town, to a house in town. In these years they welcomed 5 children: Allan in 1953, Kenneth in 1954, Theodore in 1957, Janet in 1961 and Sharon in 1967. Life was full and busy and they worked hard to provide for the family. Edith always had a large garden, cooked, canned and baked. She was active in the Carrot River Mennonite Church with Ladies Aid, choir, teaching Sunday School and DVBS. Later she assisted Walter when he was Sunday School Treasurer. Family vacations were rare but when they happened it was to Waskesiu Lake and later Radium Hot Springs. 

In 1985 they moved into town and became semi-retired. Edith enjoyed walking uptown for coffee with new friends every morning and even joined Slo Pitch and lawn bowling teams. In winter she loved to cheer on Walter when he curled. Together they travelled to Manitou Springs to sit in the mineral waters, sometimes joining Walter's siblings for a small reunion. They enjoyed travelling together on bus tours to California, Alaska, East Coast of Canada and the United States as well as trips to Radium Hot Springs in BC. In her spare time Edith enjoyed playing games like crokinole and pinochle, knitting, crochet, reading and sewing. She loved a good joke and a funny saying or story. 

In 2001 Walter & Edith moved to Bethany Tower in Saskatoon to be closer to extended family and their grandchildren. Their time together at Bethany was short as Walter became ill in April 2003 and passed away in October 2005. Edith faithfully visited him almost every day in the nursing home. After Walter passed she continued to live in the condo, making new friends and walking to Lawson Heights Mall for coffee and shopping sometimes twice a day. Edith was able to do some travelling with friends and family during this time to Arizona, BC and a cruise to Alaska.

In December 2018 she moved to Assisted Living at Bethany Place. She enjoyed someone else doing the cooking and cleaning. Life for her slowed down but she still enjoyed chatting with friends, going for walks, crossword puzzles, church Sunday morning and the sing-a-longs at Bethany. On October 24 she was admitted to University Hospital and passed away November 9.

She is missed and lovingly remembered by her children:

Allan (Jeannine), Ken, Janet (Carl) & Sharon and her grandchildren Christopher, Bryce (Donna), Chantel & Cameron and her brother Paul. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Lou, Anne & Hertha and many nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by husband Walter, son Theodore, parents Otto & Lisbet, brother Benno, sister-in-law Carol and other extended family.

We love you and will miss you always. 

A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 10:00 am., at Tiefengrund Cemetery, in the rural area of Laird, SK.

Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm., at West Portal Church, 3134 33rd Street West, Saskatoon, SK.

Edith's life celebration will be available to view via livestream at:

https://boxcast.tv/view/edith-friesen-funeral-n6rc75wbqdnnvxoconf4

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care and arrangements of Edith Friesen.