Abe Friesen was born in Winnipeg, June 20, 1937. He was the second son of Johann and Aganetha Friesen of Grunthal. Abe spent his early years on his parent’s farm about 4 miles out of town. In 1946 his parents moved to town and his dad, an entrepreneur at heart, began baking bread for friends and family. After school Abe helped out at the bakery and keeping the wood bin full. Abe’s first real job was selling farm machinery parts, recapping and repairing tires at Penner Tire in Steinbach. He then came back to Grunthal to do similar work at Chornoboy Farm Equipment. In 1957, Abe was baptized upon the confession of his faith and became a member of the Elim Church, where he remained a member until his passing. He played an important role by singing in the choir and men’s groups. Later he would come to sing in Christmas and Easter programs, for tenors were always in demand. In 1969, Abe’s dad sold the bakery to his two sons Abe and Henry. A few years later Abe became the sole owner and continued in the business for the next 24 years. The smell of fresh bread definitely beat the smell of rubber. In 1975, Abe married Irene and instantly became a family man with three children, Kim, Dion and Roger. They purchased a house and moved it to the same acreage which his dad had farmed earlier. Abe was a community minded man with a big heart. In 1981 he attended Assiniboine Community College, in Brandon, to become a volunteer fire fighter. Later he became the fire chief and served in this capacity for 32 years. This did not keep him busy enough, so in 1984 he added another dimension of community service. He became a chartered member of the Lion’s Club and was their secretary until recently. This work was very important to him and he had many friends working with him. Abe sold the bakery to his nephew, Gerald, in 1993. His mother was very pleased that the business stayed in the family for a third generation. New employment took him to Rainbow Service and later to Loewen Windows, where eventually the dust and noise level became his enemy. Hence his hearing and breathing deteriorated. When Abe lost his wife, Irene, to cancer in 2002, life became very difficult for him. He couldn’t work, he was lonely and the days were long. Kim encouraged him to build things, like bird houses and other wood crafts, which he did; and it gave him satisfaction and purpose in life. But, Abe’s health declined and in October 2009 he moved to the Grunthal Home. We all lead busy lives and as a result were not always able to spend the quality time with Abe that we desired. However, his granddaughter Shannon helped fill in some of that extra time and spent many occasions visiting him. During this time she touched his life with moments to cherish and wonderful memories. Abe very much appreciated and looked forward to her visits, even on the days Shannon beat him in a game of Cribbage. On February 27 Abe was taken to St. Boniface Hospital where he passed away on March 2, 2011. Abe leaves to mourn his passing, a daughter Kim and her children, Shaun (Niki), Justin, Shannon (Steve); a son Roger and his children, Shannara, Kayla and Quintin and three great-grandchildren; brothers: John (Hedy), Henry (Marge), Len and one sister Agnes (Arnold) Foth and nieces and nephews. Abe was predeceased by his wife Irene, son Dion, a son-in-law Ron Edwards and a sister in infancy. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13&14 The funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the Elim Mennonite Church in Grunthal with viewing prior to the service. Interment at Grunthal Cemetery.