J. Friesen

Memorials are prefered to Gideons International. John Herbert Friesen, the son of John S. and Elizabeth (Toews) Friesen was born on February 19, 1929 in Mountain Lake, MN. He attended country school, graduated from Mountain Lake High School, and received his AA Degree at Freeman Jr. College in Freeman, SD. In 1944, Herb was baptized upon confession of his faith and became a member of Bethel Mennonite Church. On June 22, 1950 Herb was united in marriage to Cleo Brockmueller in Freeman. They made their home and farmed together on the Friesen family homestead north of Mountain Lake for 58 years. He loved music and sang in the church quartet, men's chorus, and church choir for many years. Herb was involved in Rotary, and Gideons; brought Conestoga Wood to Mountain Lake; served on the Mountain Lake School Board, the first board for S.M.A.C., National Farmers Organization, Farm Bureau, and the local Co-op board; and was a church Trustee, taught Adult Sunday School, and part of the first Laotian Christian Fellowship. His hobbies included photography,woodworking, prairie conservation, world travel, new technology, and he was always interested in trying something new. J. Herbert Friesen died at the age of 79 years on Wednesday evening, November 26, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake. Herb is survived by his wife, Cleo Friesen of Mountain Lake; four sons, Scott (Lori) Friesen of Mountain Lake, Merle (Stephanie) Friesen of Howard Lake, MN, J. Brent (Judy) Friesen of Oak Park, IL, and Troy (Jennifer) Friesen of Andover, MN; 15 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a sister, Leona Sawatzky of Newton, KS; a sister-in-law, Rosella Friesen of Windom, MN; a brother-in-law, Henry Schierling of Dallas, OR; many friends and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Bryant Friesen; a brother, Edwin Friesen; two sisters, Dora Schierling and Mildred Friesen; and a brother-in-law, Ben Sawatzky.