Donald Friesen
1940-04-09 2017-07-17
FRIESEN, Donald
Donald F. Friesen passed away peacefully after a long hospitalization.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lenore (Monson) and children Russell (Jennifer Burgess) and Susanne (Ken Adamson.) He had four grandchildren whom he loved dearly; Holly, Jake, Maxwell, and Michael.
Don was the eldest of five children born April 9, 1940, to Marie and Alec Friesen. His brothers Leo and Gerry and sisters Edna and Eda were of great importance to him. Many of Don's most cherished memories centre around family picnics, camping trips, cabin trips to Chitek, trying to catch fish, going to car and model train shows, kite flying, and gathering together for special dinners and celebrations. He was Uncle Don to his nieces, nephews, and children of close friends. He was the big brother (in-law or out-law) to Lenore's siblings as well.
Don attended Mayfair School and Bedford Road Collegiate. During his years working at Co-op (Dairy Producers) he took night classes at the University of Saskatchewan in bookkeeping. He also took many classes in areas of interest including photography, Chinese, Spanish, and gourmet cooking, stained glass, and pottery. He loved to share his talents with family and friends who received gifts he made or were welcomed to the home for multicourse dinners. He also gave the gift of his time through volunteering at community and kids' events and at St. Michael's parish for many years.
Don and Lenore also loved to travel. When the kids were young there were camping trips to Waskeseiu, Matheson Lake, Pike Lake, Jasper, and the Okanogan and every trip west involved stopping to visit family along the way. After a family trip to California to see the mouse, Don and Lenore made a habit of taking a trip annually to warm destinations including Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico. There was a final trip south to Florida with young grandchildren to see the mouse again.
Shortly after, Don's many health issues began making the trips south a thing of the past. Sadly his health conditions caught up with him and hospitalizations became the norm, with his last six months being spent on unit 6200.
Thank you to the countless individuals who cared for him over the years and most recently at RUH. Don passed peacefully on July 17, 2017 with his beloved dog Teddy at his side helping him to find comfort at the end. A come and go reception to celebrate Don's life will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church. Feel free to wear your summer attire including shorts, socks and sandals as we laugh and share stories to remember Don. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to contribute to planting a tree and celebrating life to honor the gentle soul that was Don. http://treeternity.com/
Donald F. Friesen passed away peacefully after a long hospitalization.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lenore (Monson) and children Russell (Jennifer Burgess) and Susanne (Ken Adamson.) He had four grandchildren whom he loved dearly; Holly, Jake, Maxwell, and Michael.
Don was the eldest of five children born April 9, 1940, to Marie and Alec Friesen. His brothers Leo and Gerry and sisters Edna and Eda were of great importance to him. Many of Don's most cherished memories centre around family picnics, camping trips, cabin trips to Chitek, trying to catch fish, going to car and model train shows, kite flying, and gathering together for special dinners and celebrations. He was Uncle Don to his nieces, nephews, and children of close friends. He was the big brother (in-law or out-law) to Lenore's siblings as well.
Don attended Mayfair School and Bedford Road Collegiate. During his years working at Co-op (Dairy Producers) he took night classes at the University of Saskatchewan in bookkeeping. He also took many classes in areas of interest including photography, Chinese, Spanish, and gourmet cooking, stained glass, and pottery. He loved to share his talents with family and friends who received gifts he made or were welcomed to the home for multicourse dinners. He also gave the gift of his time through volunteering at community and kids' events and at St. Michael's parish for many years.
Don and Lenore also loved to travel. When the kids were young there were camping trips to Waskeseiu, Matheson Lake, Pike Lake, Jasper, and the Okanogan and every trip west involved stopping to visit family along the way. After a family trip to California to see the mouse, Don and Lenore made a habit of taking a trip annually to warm destinations including Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico. There was a final trip south to Florida with young grandchildren to see the mouse again.
Shortly after, Don's many health issues began making the trips south a thing of the past. Sadly his health conditions caught up with him and hospitalizations became the norm, with his last six months being spent on unit 6200.
Thank you to the countless individuals who cared for him over the years and most recently at RUH. Don passed peacefully on July 17, 2017 with his beloved dog Teddy at his side helping him to find comfort at the end. A come and go reception to celebrate Don's life will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church. Feel free to wear your summer attire including shorts, socks and sandals as we laugh and share stories to remember Don. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to contribute to planting a tree and celebrating life to honor the gentle soul that was Don. http://treeternity.com/