Allan Friesen

Allan Friesen 1941 - 2019

On July 21, 2019, Allan Friesen of Swan River, Manitoba passed away at the age of 78 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Gladys, 3 children and 8 grandchildren: Kelsey (Alicia) Friesen and their children Kendra (Brett) Crowley and Brendan; Crystal (Rob) Brandt and their children Aaron, Samuel and Levi; and Coral Bourget and her children Sari, Ashton and Lilly, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 7 siblings: Betty (Vern) Kroeker, Lorne Friesen, Katie (John) Dyck, Ervin (Erika) Friesen, Leroy (Lois) Friesen, Darlene Krahn (Brad Halpenny), and Jean Harms. He is predeceased by his parents Jacob and Susie Friesen and a nephew, Leland Friesen.

Allan was born in Morris, Manitoba on April 29, 1941 and was the oldest of 8 children. He attended school in Rosenort until Grade 7. After that, he worked on the family farm until he was married in 1968. Allan met his future wife and the love of his life, Gladys Friesen in 1967. They started dating in 1968 and were married in December of that year. They moved to a farm near Bowsman immediately after they were married. They lived in a house trailer for the first few years and their son Kelsey was born in 1972. They built their house on the farm that same year and lived in the basement while the main floor was being finished. Daughters Crystal and Coral were born in 1974 and 1977 respectively. Farming was Allan’s passion and his favourite activities were farming-related – from crop checking to digging drainage ditches in the field to washing farm equipment in preparation for the next season. Allan and Gladys lived on the farm until 2002 when he suffered from some health challenges and they sold the farm to Kelsey and moved to Swan River. Allan continued to help Kelsey on the farm for some years until his health no longer allowed. In recent years Allan enjoyed going for coffee with friends and attending the Senior Centre in Swan River.

Allan was a humble, hardworking man who was dedicated to God and his family. Allan and Gladys and family attended the Christian Fellowship Church when it was founded in Mafeking and continued attending when the church relocated to Birch River until they moved off the farm into Swan, where they began attending CBF. Allan served as maintenance at Steeprock Bay Bible Camp numerous times while Gladys cooked in the kitchen and many friendships were formed there. They also served in various other places: at Gleaners in Abbotsford, BC, at an MDS project in Marble Falls, Texas and at Rio Grande Bible Institute in Texas. Allan also served on the camp board for Steeprock Bay Bible Camp, as a church elder at Christian Fellowship Church and as a municipal councillor for the R.M. of Minitonas. Throughout their marriage Allan and Gladys enjoyed travelling and visited Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, BC and Niagara Falls, among others.

Although we will miss him terribly, we rejoice that his suffering is over and he is safe in the arms of Jesus.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

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