PETER HIEBERT FRIESEN

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PETER HIEBERT FRIESEN August 25, 1923 - July 2, 2015 A life lived large and a large life lived fully' would epitomize our father, Peter's long and eventful life. He was the consummate character who took risks from the very beginning. This trait shaped his life as a non-conformist and a rebel. He never shied away from new challenges and blazed a trail of innovation throughout his endeavors. Peter and his twin sister, Agatha, were born on August 25, 1923 in Osterwich, Manitoba to Agatha Hiebert and Peter Cornelius Friesen. They were two of seven children of the second family of his parents. The first set of seven children died during the Influenza Pandemic in 1920. Dad grew up on the family farm near New Bothwell, Manitoba. At age 17, he enlisted in the military to join the Second World War effort in spite of his young age and the Mennonite Conscientious Objection Conviction. Peter was assigned to the Canadian Air Force Medical Corps and deployed to London, England in 1940 to drive an ambulance during the Blitz. He shared many colourful stories of his memorable years of service during the war. As a life-long member of the Royal Canadian Legion-Steinbach Branch and a member of the Honour Guard, he carried the Canadian flag with pride during many Remembrance Day parades up until the age of 90. Peter took his first civilian job as an elevator operator at Eaton's where he met Vera Olive Smart in the Lost and Found Department. They married on June 7, 1947 and made their home in Winnipeg. In order to support Mom and the growing family, Dad took a variety of jobs. Streetcar operator, bus and taxi driver, painter, truck driver, carpenter, kitchenware salesman, turkey and cucumber farmer, selling prearranged funerals, porter for CN Railway, poultry salesman and feed sales. All of these experiences fulfilled and moulded Dad's lifetime entrepreneurial skills. During this time, and at the age of 36 with seven children, Dad proudly completed his high school education at Niverville Collegiate. Peter began his career in the feed industry and in 1970 founded East-Man Feeds out of his garage. Under Dad's leadership, East-Man Feeds grew into the largest privately owned premix company in Western Canada. He built the original plant in Steinbach and later added plants in Winnipeg, all three Prairie Provinces and in the Midwest United States. He was awarded the highest and most prodigious Golden Award for innovation and leadership by the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC), the national body of his peers in the feed industry. Dad was proud of his Legion involvement, his membership in the 500 Club of the Progressive Conservative Party, his personal relationship with then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and his wife Mila and, for being the driving force in founding of the Birchwood Funeral Co-op. A lifetime of achievement and hard work earned him recognition in many walks of life. Dad loved entertaining his children and was Grandpa Bear to his grandchildren - playing his guitar, yodeling and making everyone laugh with his smart witted comments and actions. He loved doing crossword puzzles and continued living at home after Vera died on February 6 of this year. Dad's philanthropy, generosity and commitment to his faith were strong and live on through his family. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife, Vera, of 67 years and his son Larry (Bonnie) of Brandon. He is survived by his six children: Reg (Sylvia) of Cleveland, OH, Ron (Rhonda) of Steinbach, Kathryn (John Duggan) of New Westminster, BC, Carole Maureen of Calgary, AB, Douglas and Wayne (Jackie) of Winnipeg; 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Also celebrating his life are his surviving brothers David (Doris) and Abe (Martha) of Steinbach. He was predeceased by his sisters and brothers of the first family, followed by Dick (Ann), Katherine (Dick) Wiebe, his twin sister, Agatha (Peter) Giesbrecht and youngest sister Helen (Ron) Miriam of the second set of siblings. We are fortunate to have had the gracious care of Dad from Elisa, Jasmine and Julie. The viewing was held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy. 52 W., Steinbach, MB, and at the chapel prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, with burial to follow at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the Peter and Vera Friesen Memorial Fund - Steinbach Art's Council - Summer Day Camps which Mom and Dad both supported. May there always be fireworks on his day of passing to meet his Maker. Sleep peacefully, Dad, you have earned your rest. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030
Publish Date: Jul 11, 2015

PETER HIEBERT FRIESEN August 25, 1923 - July 2, 2015 A life lived large and a large life lived fully' would epitomize our father, Peter's long and eventful life. He was the consummate character who took risks from the very beginning. This trait shaped his life as a non-conformist and a rebel. He never shied away from new challenges and blazed a trail of innovation throughout his endeavors. Peter and his twin sister, Agatha, were born on August 25, 1923 in Osterwich, Manitoba to Agatha Hiebert and Peter Cornelius Friesen. They were two of seven children of the second family of his parents. The first set of seven children died during the Influenza Pandemic in 1920. Dad grew up on the family farm near New Bothwell, Manitoba. At age 17, he enlisted in the military to join the Second World War effort in spite of his young age and the Mennonite Conscientious Objection Conviction. Peter was assigned to the Canadian Air Force Medical Corps and deployed to London, England in 1940 to drive an ambulance during the Blitz. He shared many colorful stories of his memorable years of service during the war. As a life-long member of the Royal Canadian Legion-Steinbach Branch and a member of the Honour Guard, he carried the Canadian flag with pride during many Remembrance Day parades up until the age of 90. Peter took his first civilian job as an elevator operator at Eaton's where he met Vera Olive Smart in the Lost and Found Department. They married on June 7, 1947 and made their home in Winnipeg. In order to support Mom and the growing family, Dad took a variety of jobs. Streetcar operator, bus and taxi driver, painter, truck driver, carpenter, kitchenware salesman, turkey and cucumber farmer, selling prearranged funerals, porter for CN Railway, poultry salesman and feed sales. All of these experiences fulfilled and moulded Dad's lifetime entrepreneurial skills. During this time, and at the age of 36 with seven children, Dad proudly completed his high school education at Niverville Collegiate. Peter began his career in the feed industry and in 1970 founded East-Man Feeds out of his garage. Under Dad's leadership, East-Man Feeds grew into the largest privately owned premix company in Western Canada. He built the original plant in Steinbach and later added plants in Winnipeg, all three Prairie Provinces and in the Midwest United States. He was awarded the highest and most prodigious Golden Award for innovation and leadership by the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC), the national body of his peers in the feed industry. Dad was proud of his Legion involvement, his membership in the 500 Club of the Progressive Conservative Party, his personal relationship with then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and his wife Mila and, for being the driving force in founding of the Birchwood Funeral Co-op. A lifetime of achievement and hard work earned him recognition in many walks of life. Dad loved entertaining his children and was Grandpa Bear to his grandchildren playing his guitar, yodeling and making everyone laugh with his smart witted comments and actions. He loved doing crossword puzzles and continued living at home after Vera died on February 6th of this year. Dad's philanthropy, generosity and commitment to his faith were strong and live on through his family. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife, Vera, of 67 years and his son Larry (Bonnie) of Brandon. He is survived by his six children: Reg (Sylvia) of Cleveland, OH, Ron (Rhonda) of Steinbach, Kathryn (John Duggan) of New Westminster, BC, Carole Maureen of Calgary, AB, Douglas and Wayne (Jackie) of Winnipeg; 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Also celebrating his life are his surviving brothers David (Doris) and Abe (Martha) of Steinbach. He was predeceased by his sisters and brothers of the first family, followed by Dick (Ann), Katherine (Dick) Wiebe, his twin sister, Agatha (Peter) Giesbrecht and youngest sister Helen (Ron) Miriam of the second set of siblings. We are fortunate to have had the gracious care of Dad from Elisa, Jasmine and Julie. The viewing will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy. 52 W., Steinbach, MB, and at the chapel prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, with burial to follow at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the Peter and Vera Friesen Memorial Fund - Steinbach Art's Council - Summer Day Camps which Mom and Dad both supported. May there always be fireworks on his day of passing to meet his Maker. Sleep peacefully, Dad, you have earned your rest. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030
Publish Date: Jul 8, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2015