Henry Friesen

1940 - 2025

 Henry Victor Friesen, beloved husband of Darla Friesen, passed away in Lethbridge, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the age of 84 years.

The Funeral Service was held at University Drive Alliance Church, 55 Columbia Boulevard West, Lethbridge on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 2:00 P.M.

Besides Darla, his loving wife of sixty one years, Henry is survived by their three sons Duane Friesen (Raine), Randy Friesen and Korry (Dorita) Friesen, all of Lethbridge; two grandchildren Alyssa (Desmond) Doherty and Damien Friesen. He is also survived by his sister Jessie and brother Neil in Ontario, by his sisters-in-law Willa Hage of Picture Butte, Raylene (Andy) van Rijn of Coaldale and by numerous members of his extended family.

He was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Matilda Friesen, five brothers and four sisters.

Henry was born in a log cabin at Hearst, Ontario on July 20, 1940. He was the second youngest of the twelve children born to Jacob and Matilda (née Rempel) Friesen. Shortly after he was born, his family moved to a tobacco farm south of Tillsonburg, Ontario.

Henry became a salesman at a young age, selling garden seeds and greeting cards when he was twelve. When he was twenty, he left home and hitch hiked across Canada, working his way, he hoped, to Australia. He got as far as Broxburn road where he met his future wife Darla Vaselenak. They were married one year later and Henry never did make it to Australia. Instead, he sold cars before going to work for Sears Automotive, selling tires. He then went on to sell insurance for Allstate Insurance Company. When he became ill with a painful autoimmune disease, he went to work at University Drive Alliance Church as Caretaker. The Lord healed him of this disease but several years later he had another painful autoimmune disease which made it very difficult to do anything, but he never complained and kept working at the church. In 1999, Henry went to work for the Lethbridge City Police as a Caretaker. He loved this job and was happy to work there until his retirement in 2005. Shortly after retirement, he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. He never really complained about it even though it left him with only one functioning lung.

Henry loved his vacations with his family, camping and fishing at Flathead Lake in Montana. He loved fishing Alberta lakes and enjoyed golfing at Magrath Golf course where he was a member for many years. After all his golfing buddies died, he sold his golf cart and clubs and quit golfing.

Henry has gone to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and is now healed of all pain. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Henry’s name may be made directly to the ‘Food for Learning’ program in care of University Drive Alliance Church, 55 Columbia Boulevard West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 4B7.