HENRY (IRWIN) FRIESEN

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HENRY (IRWIN) FRIESEN
1929 - 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Henry Irwin Friesen at the age of 93, at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg on Sunday, February 27.
Born in Winnipeg, he was a son of the late Henry (Heinrich) Jacob and Justina Friesen (nee Warkentin). He was predeceased by his two brothers, one sister, his daughter Karen and wife Margaret.
Irwin is survived by his sister Hedy; brother Rudy (Edyth); sister-in-law Hedie; son-in-law Dan; daughters, Kathy (Fred) and Carol (Stephen); grandchildren, Patrick, Jacqueline, Joshua, Benjamin, and Sydney and nieces and nephews.
He grew up in the Elm Creek, Marquette, and Rosser areas, where his family farmed. He attended the one room schools of George Herbert near Pigeon Lake and Prairie School in Marquette, then attended high school at Lord Selkirk and Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute in Winnipeg. Following Grade 11 at MBCI, he attended United College for first year University and enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Manitoba, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) degree in 1952. After graduation, he returned to work on his parents' farm near Rosser. In 1956 he was employed by the Plant Products Division of the Canada Department of Agriculture in Winnipeg. In 1961, he participated in a seed-related tour of Europe hosted by The Canadian Seed Growers' Association, which led to employment with them in Ottawa in 1962. He worked on their crop certification program, education and publicity and made life-long friends.
During this time, Irwin married Margaret "Rita" Harder on April 18, 1964 in Winnipeg. After their daughter Karen was born in Ottawa in 1965, they moved back to Manitoba and first lived in Winnipeg, then started farming near Rosser. Daughters Kathy and Carol arrived in 1967 and 1973. Irwin specialized in seed production, growing crops of cereals, oilseeds and forage seeds on 900 acres of land between 1965 and 1989, taking great pride in the quality of his crops and the precision of the straight rows in his fields. During the winter months, he was employed in various agriculture-based positions.
Irwin also became involved in many committees and boards, including the Interlake School Division's school board as a Trustee, ten years on the National Board of the CSGA, including the role of President from 1985-87 and as a founding board member of The Flax Council of Canada and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Irwin and Margaret enjoyed taking their daughters on many trips to the US and across Canada during summer and winter breaks and going to Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bomber games. Upon retiring from farming, they moved to Winnipeg, where Irwin continued to serve in several volunteer capacities, including the MCC Furniture Thrift Store for ten years. He and Margaret loved spending time with their grandchildren and watching them grow up. Irwin was a member of the Charleswood Mennonite Church in Winnipeg and attended services with Margaret for many years.
Dad lived in Sturgeon Creek 1 Retirement Residence in later years and greatly enjoyed visits and phone calls from family and friends. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the staff at Sturgeon Creek, the home care staff at WRHA, the caregivers at Comforts of Home Care, the paramedics, and the staff at the Grace Hospital for their excellent care, compassion, and support.
A funeral service will take place in Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg on Monday, March 7 at 2:00 p.m. The family would appreciate that attendees be fully vaccinated and remember masks are required. To access the livestream information, please contact Chapel Lawn between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Foodgrains bank (specifically the MCC Canada account) or CancerCare Manitoba.

For those who wish to sign the
online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 05, 2022