Elwin Friesen

Elwin Friesen was born Oct. 9, 1919 to Rev. A.W. and Margaret (Friesen) Friesen on a farm near Henderson. He went home to be with the Lord on September 24, 2008 having reached the age of 88 years. After placing his faith in Jesus Christ, he was baptized by his father and joined the Bethesda Mennonite Church, where he has remained a lifetime member.

He graduated from Henderson High School in 1937 and attended York College for two years and Bethel College for one year. In 1941 he was drafted and he served in Civilian Public Service in Dennison and Mt. Pleasant Iowa until the war was over in 1945. On June 11, 1943 he was united in marriage to Kathryn Hershberger of Milford Nebraska. To this union were born four children: Alan, Roma, Susan and Kathy.

In 1945 he moved to Lincoln where he worked for Hoppe Lumber until 1948 when he returned to Henderson. He drove a truck for Standard Oil, and farmed for many years until in 1969 he became the general manager of the Henderson Coop until his retirement in 1982. Elwin was an avid golfer and worked for the Henderson Golf Association for many years, first as a volunteer and then as a paid employee, until his second heart attack.

Elwin and Kathryn spent over 20 years wintering in Phoenix, AZ, where they made many new friends from all over the United States. He enjoyed being an usher, singing with his brothers and golfing.

Elwin’s family include his wife Kathryn, son Alan and Cindy Friesen, daughters: Roma and Phil Epp, Susan and Homer Friesen, and Kathy and Doug Kroeker. Grandchildren: Michele and James Steckelberg, Amy and Ron Runyan, Andrew and Mindy Friesen, David and Season Epp, Sara and Bryce Wichert, Amanda and Tim Balzer, Jenna and Derrick Unruh, Tyler, Clay and Ryan Kroeker. Great-grandchildren: Lauren and Ashley Steckelberg, Ella and Ava Runyan, Addison Friesen, Abigail and Hunter Epp, Frank and Lincoln Wichert. Elwin is also survived by one sister, MayBelle Janzen of Tucson, AZ and three sisters-in-law: Elda Friesen, Sadie Friesen and Amy Friesen all of Henderson. Preceding him in death were his parents, three brothers: Harold, Carl and Roland, one brother-in-law Darrell Janzen, and a great-granddaughter Lily Epp.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson. Interment followed in the Bethesda Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Bethesda Church Radio broadcast or the Henderson Health Care Services.