It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother Rita Friesen of Olds, AB. She passed away peacefully at home at the age of 59 years on Saturday, June 13, 2009. She leaves behind her husband Cornelius B. Friesen, mother Jeanne Lesage, son Paul (Tina) Lesage, daughter Connie (Greg) Niblett, son Jeremy (Jonina) Friesen, son Anthony (Melinda) Friesen, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her siblings Rose (Dennis) Giesbrecht, Rene (Val) Lesage, Guy (Irene) Lesage, Adele (Randy) Penner, Victor (Brenda) Lesage, Susan (Paul) Friesen, Yvonne (Stewart) MacPherson, Norbert (Val) Lesage, Annette (John) Delorme and extended family. A memorial luncheon was held in her Alberta home on Wednesday, June 17. The funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 19 at the Christ Our Saviour Catholic Church in Steinbach, MB. Internment will follow at the Steinbach Heritage Cemetery.