In Memory Of
Lawrence R. Friesen
1935
2020
Lawrence R. Friesen
September 29, 1935 — October 28, 2020
Lawrence Ralph Friesen was born September 29, 1935 in Meade, Kansas, to John L. and Helen Friesen. He was blessed to grow up in a very loving Christian home and in a close-knit community surrounded by aunts, uncles and dozens of fun cousins. He attended Emmanuel Mennonite Church, located in the country, and Sunrise Elementary School, a one-room country school.
When he was 10 years old, Lawrence lost his father to leukemia. His mother was left with three young children to raise: Lawrence, Leroy (age 6) and Elvera (age 2). As the eldest child, Lawrence assumed many responsibilities, helping run the family dairy and many other farm operations. He drove the family Model A car to and from school starting in fifth grade, picking up fellow students along the way. He proved himself a very responsible young man.
Because of his mom's strong faith, her children learned the ways of the Lord at home and at church. Lawrence saw and heard the truth of the Gospel as it was lived, taught and preached, and at the age of 14 he went forward following an evangelistic meeting where he trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized soon thereafter.
After graduating from Meade Bible Academy in 1953, he lived and worked on the family farm. In 1957 he ventured off to Topeka, Kansas, for his 1W Service (Alternate Service Program), serving as a psychiatric aide at Menninger Hospital for two and a half years. After this he joined a custom cutting harvest crew, then later moved back to Meade where he worked various jobs including for his uncle at Friesen Windmill.
A significant event happened in 1958 when Lawrence's mother married Peter A. Loewen, her widowered brother-in-law. So instead of mother of three children, she suddenly was the mother of nine! Lawrence's six cousins became his step-brothers and sisters, and they became a loving and harmonious family blend of personalities.
In 1961 Lawrence met his future wife, Ellen Blake, at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, thanks to the matchmaking skills of his sister Vera. Ellen became the love of his life, and they were married on August 25, 1962 in Okeene, Oklahoma. Their lives were blessed with two children: Russell John in 1964 and Steven Ray in 1966, both born in Meade.
In March of 1968 Lawrence and Ellen moved across the state to Olathe, Kansas, a growing community of 16,000 on the outskirts of Kansas City, because they felt a call from the Lord to become involved in a new Mennonite Brethren Church called Community Bible Church. Here Lawrence served as song leader, building committee member, Sunday school teacher, deacon, and in any other way he could serve "behind the scenes." He was always a humble, dedicated servant of the Lord.
Lawrence worked different jobs in Olathe before settling into what would become his primary career as a self-employed finish carpenter, which he continued until his retirement. He was known as a "master trim carpenter," doing amazing work on upscale homes in and around the city. He used his skills and talents in creative ways with care and precision (the corners always had to meet perfectly). His children, grandchildren, church, and many others have benefited from his skilled craftsmanship.
Lawrence loved many things in life, but none more than his wife Ellen. Seldom could they be found apart, and this past August they celebrated 58 years of life and love together, faithfully walking hand in hand with Jesus. Their marriage was a model of Christian love, a picture of Christ's selfless love for the Church. Lawrence was a wonderful, faithful, loving, gentle and steadfast husband, dad, grandpa, and caring friend. He loved his family and especially being involved in the lives of his grandkids, watching them grow and achieve. He also enjoyed Royals games, car rides and car shows, gardening, yardwork, and woodworking projects for the family.
In September of 2019 he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He demonstrated great courage this year, enduring various treatments and gradual weakening of his body. His hope in Christ never wavered. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" became his and Ellen's song of praise, and almost daily he included "this is the day that the Lord has made" in his prayers. Though he greatly missed church fellowship, he regularly watched the livestream worship services and Zoom prayer meetings. He was so grateful for his church family and the many acts of love extended to him and Ellen this year (including more than 115 cards for his 85th birthday last month).
Though his mind was sharp, Lawrence's body became weak, and on Wednesday morning, October 28, 2020, with Ellen holding his hand at their home, he breathed his last breath on earth and woke up to Jesus. Though our hearts feel the pain of loss, we rejoice that he is face-to-face with Christ his Savior. He was dearly loved and will always be in our hearts and memories. The family praises God for Lawrence's life, well-lived to the glory of the Lord!
Lawrence was preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother Leroy Friesen. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ellen Friesen of the home; sons Russ Friesen and wife Marilyn, Olathe, KS, and Steve Friesen and wife Michele, Spring Hill, KS; and grandchildren Collin, Cody, Libby, Abby, James, and Benjamin Friesen. He is also survived by his sister Vera (Arnold) Dueck of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Doris (Jake) Kornelsen of Abbotsford, BC; Lorne (Lorraine) Loewen of Morris, Manitoba; Leona (John) Kornelsen of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Eldon (JoAnn) Loewen of Reedly, CA; Eileen (Del) Dueck of Lincoln, NE; Brian (Della) Loewen of Newton, KS; sister-in-law, Betty Friesen (wife of Leroy), Meade, KS; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 1-2PM on Monday, November 2, at Community Bible Church in Olathe, followed by a celebration of Lawrence's life at 2PM. Masks are required, and distancing measures will also be in place. Interment will be at Olathe Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Bible Church (1304 N Parker St, Olathe, KS 66061) or Mission Southside (514 S Kansas Ave, Olathe, KS 66061).
If unable to attend in-person, the memorial service will be livestreamed at the CBC YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/cbckansas.
To leave a message of condolence for Lawrence's family, or to share a special memory of Lawrence, visit the guestbook below.
When he was 10 years old, Lawrence lost his father to leukemia. His mother was left with three young children to raise: Lawrence, Leroy (age 6) and Elvera (age 2). As the eldest child, Lawrence assumed many responsibilities, helping run the family dairy and many other farm operations. He drove the family Model A car to and from school starting in fifth grade, picking up fellow students along the way. He proved himself a very responsible young man.
Because of his mom's strong faith, her children learned the ways of the Lord at home and at church. Lawrence saw and heard the truth of the Gospel as it was lived, taught and preached, and at the age of 14 he went forward following an evangelistic meeting where he trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized soon thereafter.
After graduating from Meade Bible Academy in 1953, he lived and worked on the family farm. In 1957 he ventured off to Topeka, Kansas, for his 1W Service (Alternate Service Program), serving as a psychiatric aide at Menninger Hospital for two and a half years. After this he joined a custom cutting harvest crew, then later moved back to Meade where he worked various jobs including for his uncle at Friesen Windmill.
A significant event happened in 1958 when Lawrence's mother married Peter A. Loewen, her widowered brother-in-law. So instead of mother of three children, she suddenly was the mother of nine! Lawrence's six cousins became his step-brothers and sisters, and they became a loving and harmonious family blend of personalities.
In 1961 Lawrence met his future wife, Ellen Blake, at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, thanks to the matchmaking skills of his sister Vera. Ellen became the love of his life, and they were married on August 25, 1962 in Okeene, Oklahoma. Their lives were blessed with two children: Russell John in 1964 and Steven Ray in 1966, both born in Meade.
In March of 1968 Lawrence and Ellen moved across the state to Olathe, Kansas, a growing community of 16,000 on the outskirts of Kansas City, because they felt a call from the Lord to become involved in a new Mennonite Brethren Church called Community Bible Church. Here Lawrence served as song leader, building committee member, Sunday school teacher, deacon, and in any other way he could serve "behind the scenes." He was always a humble, dedicated servant of the Lord.
Lawrence worked different jobs in Olathe before settling into what would become his primary career as a self-employed finish carpenter, which he continued until his retirement. He was known as a "master trim carpenter," doing amazing work on upscale homes in and around the city. He used his skills and talents in creative ways with care and precision (the corners always had to meet perfectly). His children, grandchildren, church, and many others have benefited from his skilled craftsmanship.
Lawrence loved many things in life, but none more than his wife Ellen. Seldom could they be found apart, and this past August they celebrated 58 years of life and love together, faithfully walking hand in hand with Jesus. Their marriage was a model of Christian love, a picture of Christ's selfless love for the Church. Lawrence was a wonderful, faithful, loving, gentle and steadfast husband, dad, grandpa, and caring friend. He loved his family and especially being involved in the lives of his grandkids, watching them grow and achieve. He also enjoyed Royals games, car rides and car shows, gardening, yardwork, and woodworking projects for the family.
In September of 2019 he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He demonstrated great courage this year, enduring various treatments and gradual weakening of his body. His hope in Christ never wavered. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" became his and Ellen's song of praise, and almost daily he included "this is the day that the Lord has made" in his prayers. Though he greatly missed church fellowship, he regularly watched the livestream worship services and Zoom prayer meetings. He was so grateful for his church family and the many acts of love extended to him and Ellen this year (including more than 115 cards for his 85th birthday last month).
Though his mind was sharp, Lawrence's body became weak, and on Wednesday morning, October 28, 2020, with Ellen holding his hand at their home, he breathed his last breath on earth and woke up to Jesus. Though our hearts feel the pain of loss, we rejoice that he is face-to-face with Christ his Savior. He was dearly loved and will always be in our hearts and memories. The family praises God for Lawrence's life, well-lived to the glory of the Lord!
Lawrence was preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother Leroy Friesen. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ellen Friesen of the home; sons Russ Friesen and wife Marilyn, Olathe, KS, and Steve Friesen and wife Michele, Spring Hill, KS; and grandchildren Collin, Cody, Libby, Abby, James, and Benjamin Friesen. He is also survived by his sister Vera (Arnold) Dueck of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Doris (Jake) Kornelsen of Abbotsford, BC; Lorne (Lorraine) Loewen of Morris, Manitoba; Leona (John) Kornelsen of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Eldon (JoAnn) Loewen of Reedly, CA; Eileen (Del) Dueck of Lincoln, NE; Brian (Della) Loewen of Newton, KS; sister-in-law, Betty Friesen (wife of Leroy), Meade, KS; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 1-2PM on Monday, November 2, at Community Bible Church in Olathe, followed by a celebration of Lawrence's life at 2PM. Masks are required, and distancing measures will also be in place. Interment will be at Olathe Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Bible Church (1304 N Parker St, Olathe, KS 66061) or Mission Southside (514 S Kansas Ave, Olathe, KS 66061).
If unable to attend in-person, the memorial service will be livestreamed at the CBC YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/cbckansas.
To leave a message of condolence for Lawrence's family, or to share a special memory of Lawrence, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence R. Friesen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, November 2, 2020
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Community Bible Church
Memorial Service
Monday, November 2, 2020
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Community Bible Church
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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