Henry K. Friesen died Jan. 9, 2010. He was born Oct. 21, 1933 in the R.M. of Morris, Man., to Peter W. and Elizabeth Friesen. He grew up on the farm, so hard work was a necessity, and family was closely connected. He was baptized into the EMC church as a teenager. He graduated from Mennonite Collegiate Institute, attended normal school, and earned a BA and BEd from the University of Manitoba. His teaching career spanned 37 years, starting in a one-room school in Menville, Man., with the majority spent as guidance counsellor at Steinbach (Man.) Regional Secondary School, where he made significant connections with many students, to whom he was fondly known as “HK.” Henry met his wife Anne in 1956 while volunteering for MCC. Henry was very proud of his family and loved them deeply. He was a man of ideas and lived life fully. He loved the outdoors, and was the family trip planner, playhouse builder, and storyteller. He enjoyed meeting new people and fostering established relationships. Henry’s faith was based on God’s love and grace, and was lived by looking out for others, and serving in whatever way he could. He volunteered in many capacities for the Steinbach Arts Council, Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach Ambulance Service, and Steinbach MB Church, where he was a member. He also completed 2 terms as city councillor. Through a 15-year journey with Parkinson’s disease, he rarely complained, choosing instead to focus on the positive. Henry is mourned by Anne; 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law; grandchildren; siblings.
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