Jake Friesen

Jake N Friesen, our loving father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather was born on June 20, 1924 to Peter K and Katherine Friesen near Hillsboro, Ks. He peacefully passed away on September 13, 2014, at Evergreen Assisted Living in Buhl, Idaho, reaching the age of 90 years.
He received his education and worked on the family farm near Hillsboro until the age of 14 years, after which he moved with his family to Winton, Ca. There he heard and answered the call of God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, on January 22, 1939, by Min. Abe T Koehn. He embraced this faith until his end. On July 1, 1945 he was united in marriage to our Mother, Sarah Giesbrecht at Winton, California, sharing the joys and sorrows of life for 62 years. The first seven years they spent farming peaches and grapes with his brother John. Here a son and a daughter joined the family.
In July of 1952 they sold the farm and joined a small group at Glenn, California. Here he was ordained to the deaconry on December 16, 1956 by Min. Frank Wenger. For fifty years he unselfishly gave of himself to the church, and also enjoyed serving on various Conference boards.
While at Glenn, four more sons joined the family. Here he provided for his family, farming and doing carpentry. While traveling thru southern Idaho they questioned, "Why couldn't there be a congregation here?" This inspired their move to Buhl in the spring of 1969, helping to start a new congregation. Dad enjoyed working together with us boys on the farm.
Dad and mom enjoyed traveling. They visited different mission fields including Mexico, Haiti, Brazil, Malawi, and Nigeria.
Our Father's love was felt in his many offers to help, taking a special interest in each of us. Often we felt his concern for our spiritual welfare. In their retirement years they took a special interest in tract work, making many trips to Salt Lake City.
Our Mother's passing in 2008 left him very lonely. Dad then made his home with his daughter Verna and husband Jim. We all appreciate the love and care shown him while he lived with them for nearly three years.
He is survived by six children, Melvin and wife Annora, Verna and husband Jimmy Koehn, Leonard and wife Starlyn all of Buhl, Idaho. Lee and wife Lorraine of Hazelton, Idaho, David and wife Virginia of Brookston, Texas, Arlen and wife Carol of Blooomfield, Iowa: 28 grandchildren, and 51 great-grandchildren. One sister-in-law Mary Giesbrecht of Glenn, California.
He is preceded in death by his wife Sarah, I brother, 2 sisters, and I granddaughter.
A special thank-you is due the staff at Evergreen Assisted Living where he received such good care.
A service has been scheduled for 3:00 pm, Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at the Buhl Mennonite Church. There will a viewing between 1-3 pm, prior to the service, at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Farmer Funeral Chapel of Buhl, Idaho.