Melvin Friesen

Melvin J. Friesen was born on May 6, 1950 to John T. and Marie (Friesen) Friesen in York, Nebraska. Mel grew up on the family farm and was the sixth child born into a family of seven children. He attended Henderson Elementary School and graduated from Henderson High School in 1968. Melvin passed away on August 27, 2010 from a sudden heart attack in Walden, Colorado at the age of 60 years while on a motorcycle trip with his sons and brother.

Mel attended one semester at Grace University and then went into 1W Service at General Rose Hospital in Denver, CO. In 1977 he moved back to Henderson and began farming the family farm where he currently lived.

Mel was baptized on May 14, 1967 upon his confession of faith by the Reverend Walter H. Dyck and remained a faithful member of Bethesda Mennonite Church. Melvin married Connie Rempel Epp on March 7, 1981 in Lincoln, NE. They have two sons, Brandon and his wife Carmen of Moundridge, KS and Travis of Seattle, WA.

Melvin cherished the family farm and was proud to continue the farming tradition that his father began. He had a special love for trees and was a Nebraska Certified Arborist. Melvin enjoyed riding his motorcycles and appreciated the friends and family who enjoyed the sport with him.

Melvin loved his brothers and sisters dearly. He cherished the memories of home and growing up on the farm. He enjoyed speaking the Low German language, especially reciting poems and quips with his mother.

At the time of his death, Melvin was working for the Nebraska Department of Roads.

He is survived by his wife Connie; son Brandon and his wife Carmen; son Travis; siblings Rubena (Thomas Lloyd) Hiebner, Henderson; Myrna (Robert) Johnson, Lakewood, CO; Mary (Richard) Claassen, Aurora; Donald J. (Pauline) Friesen, Henderson; Amanda (Clarence) Rempel, Newton, KS; and LaVerne (Carol) Friesen, Wallace, NE. Preceding him in death were his parents.

Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson with burial in the Farmer’s Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Grace Children’s Home.