Obituary of Bert Friesen

A come & go viewing will be open to the public on Thursday February 10, 2022 from 7-8:30pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel.

A private livestreamed funeral service will be Friday February 11, 2022 at 11:00, am at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Grunthal Cemetery. 

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Bert Friesen on Wednesday February 2, 2022 at the age of 66 at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Mary, son Cory (Kara Baleja), daughter Jamie (Gerald), grandchildren Robyn, Conner, Milla, Keaton, brothers Peter (Helen), Norman (Lena), George (Lil), sister Agatha (Toots) Pries, sisters-in-law Mary (Dick), Theresa (Henry), brother-in-law George Banman, Dennis (Freida), Stan (Helen), sister-in-law Helen (John) Friesen and sister-in-law Leona Banman.

He was predeceased by his parents William and Helen Friesen. Brothers Bill and Cornie, brothers-in-law Bill Pries, Harry Banman and sister-in-law Bertha.

Bert was born February 17, 1955 at St Pierre Hospital. He grew up in the Bristol area, south of Steinbach. He married the love of his life, Mary Banman on May 4, 1974. Together they built a life in Pansy where they had a son, Cory and a daughter, Jamie.

Throughout his life, Bert was a forklift operator at Friendly Family Farms. He also worked on a hog farm in Pansy. He was a forklift operator at Loewen Windows where he retired after 21 years.

Bert made many friends through playing sports and supporting his kids sports and grandkids sports. He was well known at work and built many relationships through church. He loved the outdoors. Whether it was working in the bush, camping or playing with his snowmobiles and taking quad rides. Bert loved going for a drive with Mary in his old Dodge car.

Bert had a great sense of humor and a big heart. You always knew something was going on in his mind when he had that smirk on his face. He was very proud of his family and loved spending time with them. Many great memories were made at the toboggan slide, snowmobiling, GT rides and countless hours spent around the fire pit reminiscing. Bert was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, friend, brother, uncle and now Angel.

A come & go viewing will be open to the public on Thursday February 10, 2022 from 7-8:30pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel.

A private livestreamed funeral service will be Friday February 11, 2022 at 11:00, am at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Grunthal Cemetery. 

Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses at Cancer Care Steinbach, Cancer Care HSC and Bethesda Hospital. Thank you to all of those who have prayed for us through this journey.

 In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Bert’s memory to CancerCare Manitoba