Sara Friesen of Steinbach, formerly of Mitchell passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the age of 88 years at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. Left to cherish Sara’s memory are her children Ken of Mitchell, Dennis (Jan) of Calgary, Luella (Dan) Hewson of Steinbach; her grandchildren Amanda and Christine Friesen, Shauna, Anthony, and Shaelyn Hewson. Also remembering are her sisters Mary Ginter of Winnipeg and Agatha Klippenstein of Grunthal, brother Peter Braun of Grunthal, three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Abram Friesen, parents Henry and Helen Braun, three sisters and three brothers. Sara, our Mother, was born on December 31, 1921, New Years Eve, to Henry and Helen Braun of the Langevin School District near Altona, MB. She grew up on her parents farm, the second oldest in the family. As the first five children in the family were all girls, grandfather selected mother to be his helper at an early age. This experience of working with draft horses, crops, and taking care of animals gave mother an in-depth knowledge of farming in the 1930s. The hard physical work and the tough economic conditions were a formative part of her character. She learned to work hard for what she wanted and appreciated what she had even when it wasn’t much. School was a long 2 1/2 miles from home but was a part of her life that she enjoyed. The depression created circumstances however that caused her early education to be shortened. Mother’s desire to learn more and her curiosity persisted, and when her own family had left home she enrolled in the adult education program and to her great satisfaction got her high school diploma. Mother professed her faith and was baptized at Sommerfeld Manitoba. Later when she married she joined the CMC first in Randolph and later in Mitchell. She taught Sunday School and voluntarily served the church community in other roles. As a young woman Mother worked at domestic jobs in the region for a few years before she married our father in 1945. They made their home at Mitchell and farmed for 46 years, raising their family. Every year Mother planted a large garden and many times also helped with the farm work. Mother was a talented seamstress and made many clothes for us and for others. In the communities around here people pitched in to help each other and Mother right along with them. Together with her friends and neighbors she would make quilts or put together relief packages for Mennonite Central Committee. Later in life she volunteered at the MCC store and the personal care home in town. Mother had a concern for others that served as a good example. She could see both physical and emotional needs and when she felt she could do something to help she would. As Dad’s hearing impairment gradually worsened Mother stepped in to be his communicator. When Dad became ill she was there to support him both at home and as much as she could at the hospital. There were also times in her life when Mother encountered difficult events and needed help. She was enormously thankful to the friends and neighbors who gave her the support that sustained her through those periods. Her strong faith and character helped her to endure and recover. Mother believed that our heritage and the Mennonite history were important formative factors to the persons we would become. She was excited when the Mennonite Heritage Museum was built and made sure we saw and heard about the life that she experienced growing up. In its early years Mother volunteered at the exhibits. After almost 47 years of marriage Dad passed away and Mother moved to town. With her retirement now at hand Mother continued with her activities that she enjoyed. She was blessed with continued good eyesight and put it to good use with lots of reading. She followed current events, sang in some choirs, she enjoyed coming to the farm “just to visit’ and to do some gardening. Mother added some traveling to visit family that had scattered across the globe and to see places that piqued her interest. Family was always important to Mother and over time it became even more so. She organized family togetherness whenever possible at birthdays and holidays. She enjoyed baking and sewing for us and enjoyed our company always. Her support for her bedridden and shut in friends continued well after she herself felt tired, because she believed that our faith and our support for each other was the source of happiness. Mother was an active participant in life with an opinion and who made a difference when she could. Mother supported others tremendously and we will miss her. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr, Steinbach on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional to follow at 7:30 p.m. and at the chapel prior to the service. The funeral service will be held Thursday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m. also at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with interment at Mitchell CMC cemetery. The family wishes to thank all the caregivers at Bethesda Hospital for the comfort they brought to our mother.