Bernie Friesen

Bernhard (Bernie) Friesen, age 90 years, of Altona, Manitoba passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at the Altona Community Memorial Health Centre. 

He is survived by his wife Edith (nee Peters), their children Irene (Ronn) Hiebert, Barb (Jim) Neufeld, Steve (Belinda) Friesen, and Kathy (Warren) Schroeder, as well as, 8 grandchildren, Scott (Shauna), Carla, Patrick (Artemis), Samuel, Zachary, Simon (Shayanne), Abby, and Sydney, 3 great grandchildren Rhea, Alice, and Greta and 2 sisters Barbara Wiens and Mary Neufeld.  He was predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers, 4 sisters, and one son-in-law. 

Bernie was born at the family homestead near Rosenfeld on June 15^th, 1933, to Justina and Cornelius Friesen.  He was the youngest of ten children and benefited from having older siblings who doted on him.

Bernie was baptized at the Altona Bergthaler Church on June 6^th, 1954.  He and Edith were married on June 26^th, 1955.  For all but the first few of years of their 68 years together, Bernie and Edith have called Altona their home. 

He was hard working and at the age of 14, he left Roseville School to work on the family farm.  From there, he went to work at the Manitoba Sugar Factory, a Massey Ferguson dealership, a car dealership, and then at the Co-op store (which he said was his favourite job).  He left the Co-op store when he bought Roadside Store in 1970.  Ten years later, he sold the store and became part owner of a local lumber yard.  After that, he worked at what is now known as Blue Sky Opportunities and then sold insurance until his retirement. 

Bernie lived his faith by serving others.  He volunteered his time at church as an usher and providing taxi service.  He served on the board of what is known as Blue Sky Opportunities, spent countless hours working at the MCC store, was bookkeeper for CARE, and for years, faithfully opened and closed the 10,000 Villages store in the Altona Mall. 

In addition to supporting local organizations, he served his neighbours by frequently mowing their lawns in the summer and clearing their driveways in the winter. 

Bernie loved to serve his community and his neighbours, but what he loved most was spending time with his family.  He would go to baseball games, hockey games, watch curling, dance recitals, concerts, and any other special family events.  His favourite time was gathering with his family at Christmas.

Bernie was fortunate to have many years of good health.  After 90 years, his body began to fail.  On August 27^th of this year, he was admitted to hospital and never regained enough strength to come home. 

The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Boundary Trails Health Centre, and especially the medical staff at the Altona hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Bernie and his family. 

Memorial service was held on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church, with a private family burial prior to the service at the Altona Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Bernie may be made to Altona and District Palliative Care.

Click on the video link below to view the memorial service.