Jane Elizabeth Friesen
Obituary
ARCHBOLD. Ohio — Jane Elizabeth Friesen, 55, of Archbold,
Ohio, passed on surrounded by her family on Sunday (April 22, 2012) after a two
and a half year struggle with breast cancer.
Jane was born on June 16, 1956, in Hutchinson, the fourth
daughter of Abe K. and Dorothy M. (Wiebe) Friesen.
Jane was a graduate of Bethel College in North Newton, with
a bachelor of social work and just recently completed her master’s of divinity
(MDiv) from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Ind.
Jane married Kelvin Friesen on May 26, 1979, in
Hutchinson. During their 33 years of
marriage, they lived and worked in Denver, Colo., Arlington Heights, Ill.,
Toledo, Ohio, and finally Archbold, Ohio.
In Denver, Jane worked as a receptionist for Fortner Hauber
CPA while Kel worked for Hickory Farms Inc. When Kel’s work with Hickory Farms
took them to Arlington Heights, Ill., Jane worked for Mennonite World
Conference as a program director, planning and travelling to various Mennonite
conventions throughout the world. Daughter Kim was born in Arlington Heights in
1988.
In 1989, Kel’s transition to Hickory Farms headquarters took
them to Toledo, Ohio. Here, Kate was born in 1992. Jane thoroughly enjoyed
being a full-time mother to the girls. She actively volunteered at Toledo
Mennonite Church and in various activities involving Kim and Kate.
When Kel accepted a position with Sauder Manufacturing Co.,
the family moved to Archbold, Ohio, in 1999. Jane was a substitute teacher in
the Archbold school system and continued to be active in the lives of her
daughters. During this time Jane began taking classes toward an MDiv at
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. At the time of her
death, she was actively involved in her life calling as member of the pastoral
team at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio.
She was an excellent cook, and she loved entertaining. Other
activities she enjoyed were gardening, music and singing. She loved traveling
with her family and friends. In all of these locations, Jane’s beautiful smile,
her warm personality and her love of people endeared her to those she met
throughout her life.
Jane is survived by her husband, Kelvin; daughters, Kimberly
(Kim) and Kathryn (Kate); and sisters, Judy Williams and husband Tim of
Spokane, Wash., Karen Franz and husband Rod of Manhattan, and Arlene Schmidt
and husband, Wilbur of Newton. She also is survived by two nephews and five
nieces and their families. Jane also will be greatly missed by Kelvin’s
parents, Paul and Wilma Friesen of Hesston; his three brothers; two sisters;
six nephews; and four nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Abe K. and Dorothy
M. Friesen of Hutchinson.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.
Friday at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio. A celebration of Jane’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Mennonite Church.
An interment will follow at Lockport Cemetery.
Jane’s family would like to thank her doctors, nurses,
Hospice of Williams County, Zion Mennonite Church and many friends and
neighbors for their wonderful care during the last few years.
Memorials can be given in Jane’s honor to Fish Food Pantry
in Archbold, Ohio, or to Camp Little Eden in Onekama, Mich. Grisier Funeral
Home in Archbold has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may
be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.
