Elizabeth (Betty) Friesen

Betty was born to Henry S. and Agatha (nee Peters) Kehler on December 1, 1933, at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Manitoba. 

Betty’s childhood was mostly spent in Mitchell area on her parents' farm. She attended school in Mitchell. Later she worked at a sewing factory in St. Pierre for many years, which is where she acquired her mastery of sewing. She used to walk ¾ mile to #52 highway to catch a ride to work, sometimes on very cold days. She would later put these skills she acquired to work at Rieger Clothing, where she was a seamstress for many years. Her boss, Mr. Rieger used to tell her that he had trained at a London Trade School and she was much more proficient at sewing than he was. She would tackle anything. All the while, they also farmed first in the Shakespeare area and later in the Seaton area. While they farmed, she would attend weekly Bible Studies with the local ladies. After they sold the farms, she continued to attend these Bible studies, although the distance made that more challenging. We remember the pictures on the fridge of the 2 children she and Dad sponsored from Bangladesh. Although Mom was not big on sports, she would always cheer her children on at sports events that they participated in. 

Mom was always a pleasant lady who enjoyed socializing with the ladies in the neighborhood. She taught Sunday School for many years. She really enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She made excellent food, and we all enjoyed the home cooking. Her baking was phenomenal. The family attests that her baking was always perfect, every batch.  

She married Ben Friesen on October 31, 1954, enjoying just shy of 70 years of marriage. Their children were all born during the time they lived in the Shakespeare and Seaton areas. This is where their children grew up. Mom loved her family.    

Betty passed away in the afternoon of May 11, 2024, at Rest Haven Care Home. 

Betty leaves to mourn her son Ken, children Korey and his friend Haley,  Megan and her friend Nick; son-in-law Allan Kehler, sons Matthew and wife Marites, Michael and Jocelyn, and son Scott and their families; son Larry and his wife Susan, their children, Jonathon and wife Kirsten and family, Chyanne and her husband Curtis, and their children; daughter Sheryl and her husband Darren Cave and  their children Jordan and wife Chantel, and Courtney and fiancé Dillon, and their families; and son Paul of Thailand. She also leaves to mourn sister-in-law Mary and husband Peter Wiebe, sister-in-law Peggy Friesen, sister-in-law Agnes Kehler and sister-in-law Carol Kehler. 

She was predeceased by her husband Ben on May 25, 2023, just shy of 2 weeks short of a year ago.  She was also predeceased by their two daughters Arlene and Gladys. She was also predeceased by her parents, Henry and Agatha Kehler, siblings Cornelius, Jacob and his wife Anne, brother Henry, sister Tina and husband Peter Neufeld, Mary and husband Roy Broesky, brother Pete (Jim), brother-in-law Dick Friesen. 

The family would like to thank Rest Haven Care Home for the excellent care they provided for their mother. You were always so good to our mother. Thank you. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.