Ben W. Friesen was born in the R. M. of Hanover on August 23, 1933 to David M. and Katarina Friesen. His early life was filled with challenges, especially when his mother passed away when he was merely two years old. When he was five years old his father remarried, this was quite an adjustment for this young lad.
Ben passed away on the evening of May 25, 2023 at Rest Haven Care Home.
Ben is survived by his wife; Betty, son Ken of Vancouver, and two children Kory and Megan, son-in-law Allan Kehler and three sons, Matthew, Michael and Scott and their families, Larry (Susan) of Airdrie, Alberta, their two children, John and Chyanne and their families, son Paul of Thailand, daughter Sheryl (Darren) Cave, their two children, Jordan and his fiancé and Courtney of Edmonton, Alberta, sister Mary (Peter) Wiebe, sisters-in-law Peggy Friesen, Tina Neufeld, Agnes Kehler and Carol Kehler and their families.
Ben was predeceased by his father; David M. Friesen, mother; Katarina, step mother; Helena, daughters; Arlene, and Gladys, sister; Tina who died in infancy, brother; Dick, brothers-in-law; Peter Neufeld, Cornelius Kehler, Jacob (and Anne) Kehler, Henry Kehler, Peter (Jim) Kehler, sister-in-law; Mary (and Roy) Broesky.
Ben grew up in the RM of Hanover and he attended the Silberfeld Chortitzer Church where he was baptized. He served his church as Sunday School teacher for several years. He married Elizabeth (or Betty) Kehler on Oct. 31, 1954. They farmed in the Seaton area for many years. When they sold the farm and moved to Steinbach, Ben found employment at Loewen Windows, where he worked a very taxing job until he was 75.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Crossings Funeral Care. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in the Steinbach Heritage Cemetery.
For those unable to attend the service in person the family invites you to join them through livestream. Please click here to view the livestream.