Obituary of Diane Nora Friesen

Diane Nora Friesen was born in St. Boniface, Winnipeg, MB., on October 26, 1959, to Bill W & Mary Friesen, Grunthal, MB.

Diane passed away at the Menno Home for the Aged in Grunthal, MB., on Friday, May 24, 2024 at the age of 64. Diane lived a vibrant life from beginning to the end and she has touched the lives of many people along the way.

Diane is survived by her mother Mary & step-father Dick Dyck, two brothers and their wives, Ron & Tara, Gary & Susan as well as three step-sisters, one step brother and one step-brother in-law, along with her nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Diane was predeceased by her father Bill W Friesen on May 26, 1989.

Despite being diagnosed with Down Syndrome; Diane lived a full and active life at home with her family. She attended and graduated high school from Woodlawn School in Steinbach, MB. After graduation, Diane started her working career at Kindale, where she really enjoyed her social environment with her many friends! She devoted 42 years to this job, where she enjoyed painting, building, and her favourite job, delivering flyers door to door. This was the highlight of her job as she loved walking and talking to people. She was a social young woman; she knew many people and many of those people loved Diane because of her zest and love for life!

Diane also spent many Saturday mornings bowling with Special Olympics in Steinbach with all her friends. Afterwards, she would enjoy eating at A&W. In Diane’s spare time she enjoyed going for walks and exercising in her room. She had a great love for knitting and wrapping hangers with wool, which many friends and family have received as gifts throughout the years. Diane’s love for people was evident by the way she would greet them with big hugs and kisses.

Diane also helped her brothers out at their family business. She would be found sweeping out the shop and taking tabs off cans, so she could bring them in to donate. Diane had a compassionate heart for everyone around her. She made friends easily and once you became her friend, it was for life!

Diane enjoyed going camping in Lancaster, Minnesota with Mom & Dad (Dick). There too, Diane made many friends as she took her walks around the camp ground, where she would again be collecting tabs from the neighbours.

Another activity Diane truly LOVED was dancing. She would be the first- and last-person dancing at any wedding or family function.

Not only was Diane’s love for everyone evident. Her love of the Lord was too as she was baptized in the CCF Church by Pastor George Froese.

Diane (Anna) as family calls her, we have broken hearts to see you leave us, but we rejoice in the fact that you are in the arms of Jesus and are now dancing up in heaven with loved ones gone before us. Until we meet again.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 1^st, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing prior to the service.

The interment will take place at Grunthal Cemetery, Grunthal, MB.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Diane may be made to Kindale Industries, 16 Pioneer Rd, Steinbach, MB R5G 1W3.