Marjorie "Marge" (Bontrager)
Friesen
1934 - 2021
Marjorie "Marge" (Bontrager)
Friesen, 86, died on April 24, 2021 at her Newton residence.
Marge was born on December 12, 1934 at
her great grandmother's house in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of
Christopher and Viola (Hershberger) Bontrager.
She attended elementary school in a one
room country school. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite High School in
Kalona, Iowa. Following graduation Marge attended Hesston College in
Hesston, Kansas.
On June 18, 1955, Marge was united in
marriage to Marvin Zook, together they had three children, Steven,
Monica and Rodney. The two later divorced.
On June 3, 1970 Marge married Elmer
Friesen, becoming a second mother to his children, Cindi, David,
Penny, and his step-daughter, Teresa.
For 30 years Marge worked in the mobile
home industry, and for the last 8 years before retirement was a
representative for Royal Supply in Wichita.
Marge was a member of the VFW Auxiliary
where she served as local president for 2 years, treasurer for 10
years, district president for 1 year, state president for 1 year and
the National council for 1 year. Marge was also a member of the
American Legion Auxiliary.
Marge enjoyed helping and spent years
volunteering in the Payee Program and delivering for Meals on Wheels.
She was also an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with her family
and friends.
Marge was a devoted member of St.
Matthews Episcopal church where she graciously served as a Lector, an
Usher, and was part of the Outreach Committee.
Marge is survived by her children,
Steven Zook, Rodney (Debbie) Zook, David Friesen, Teresa Mischo,
Cindi Woelk, and Penny (Andrew) Byers; grandchildren, Jennifer Baig
(David Jabara), Ryan (Samantha) Cheatum, Carl (Kaycee) Cheatum, Kirk
(Crystal) Kohlzer, Todd (Cheryl) Hindeman, Leasa (Jason) Camp, Zack
(Isabelle) Mischo, Erin (Avery) Quintana, Deysia Johnson and Samuel
Woelk; great-grandchildren, Calvin, Dane, Cailin and Alexis Mischo,
Skyler and Lucas Quintana, Jocelyn Baig, Noah Kohlzer, Logan and
Charlie Cheatum, Wyatt Cheatum, Chloe Hindeman, Robert, Penelope and
Annabelle Camp and Leslie Grace Davis; sister-in-law, Gladene
Bontrager; son-in-laws, Keith Graber & Phillip Cheatum, and many
nieces and nephews who are scattered but have kept touch over the
years via Facebook.
Marge was preceded in death by her
husband, Elmer Friesen; parents, Christopher and Viola Bontrager;
sisters, Velma Yoder, Bette Messenger, Clara Belle Schlabaugh,
Carolyn Bontrager and Helen Miller; brother, Marlyn Bontrager;
daughter, Monica Graber; son-in-law, Tim Woelk and grandsons, Jason
Baig and Jeremy Friesen.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m.,
Friday, April 30, 2021 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Newton
with The Reverend Les Jackson presiding. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to
9 p.m. Thursday evening at Petersen Funeral Home. Burial will be in
the Greenwood Cemetery Newton, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to St. Matthews
Operational Endowment Fund or St. Matthews Payee Program in care of
Petersen Funeral Home.
