James "Jim" L. Friesen, 69, passed away peacefully June 12, 2017, in Newton, with his family by his side.
He was born June 27, 1947, in Meade, the only child of John K. and Helena E. Wall Friesen. He married Mary Burkett from Hesston on Feb. 21, 1970. He studied mortuary science and owned a funeral home before having children. After starting a family, he began working in carpentry and home improvement. He was a great woodworker, painter, and artist. Jim touched many people throughout his life with his tremendous sense of humor and beaming smile. Jim and Mary enjoyed meandering through antique stores and estate sales. He was a life-long fan of Kansas sports teams, and one of his fondest memories as a youth was seeing Wilt Chamberlain play at KU.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years. Other survivors include sons Christopher and his wife Emily Derstine Friesen, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Carman Friesen, of Hesston; daughter, Kari Friesen, of Wichita; and foster children, Craig Braswell, Jr., and Kindra Peterson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Obadiah James Friesen.
Funeral services were held on Saturday at Hopefield Church in Moundridge. Jim was buried at West Liberty Cemetery near Inman. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Diabetes Association, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.
