Wesley James Friesen
May 26, 1934 – January 14, 2025
Wesley James Friesen passed away on January 14, 2025, in St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon, SK at the age of 90 years.
Wes was born on May 26, 1934, in Hepburn, Saskatchewan. He was the third child of seven born to David and Margaret Friesen of Mennon. His two older brothers passed away as infants and Wes was raised as the oldest in the family.
Wes graduated from Saskatoon Teachers’ College and began teaching at age 21. He started at a one room school in Wurzburg and moved to schools in Mennon and Dalmeny. He spent most of his teaching career In Lloydminster, where he was the long time Principal at Neville Goss School. Wes persevered with his education, graduating midcareer with a B.A. and B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan. He retired from teaching and school administration after 32 exceptional years.
Wes married his best friend and only love Betty Schultz in 1956. They were inseparable and indistinguishable life partners for 68 years.
Wes accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour at an early age. He served the Lord throughout his life, being active in the leadership of First Baptist Church, Lloydminster. He assisted in the start of four churches: North Park Bible Church in Saskatoon, Maidstone Baptist, Vermilion Baptist and the Church in the Park, Yuma, AZ. He served during his retirement years at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.
Dad was well-known as being gregarious and friendly. He would stop to converse, usually at length, with friends, colleagues and complete strangers. Dad was always willing to discuss his latest round of golf, the long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs or the travails of his beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Wes leaves behind a family who are comforted with the knowledge of his triumphant arrival into the Lord’s presence. Wes is survived by his wife Betty (Schultz), his daughters Laurie (Dan) Husband and Lyn (Marc) Namur, his son Jeff (Camille), his brothers Gerald (Francis) and Kenneth, his sister Marjorie Heppner, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents David and Margaret (Doerksen), three brothers Raymond, Kenneth and Robert and his granddaughter Alissa (Namur) Sanders.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Grove Community Church, 502 Webster Street, Saskatoon, SK. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE WESLEY FRIESEN
(A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above. The copy will be available for approximately 6 months.)
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Hands at Work in Africa at the following link: https://www.handsatwork.org/ca-give. Please mention the Kitabataba project in the comments.
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
7 Comments
Mrs. Friesen and family, I am so sorry for your loss! Mr. Friesen was my teacher and school principal back in the day when I went to Neville Goss. I have often thought of him throughout my adult life and am so grateful for his influence. He took the opportunities to invested time in supporting my development and gave me many pats on the back. I was no rode scholar, or athlete and pretty much the very average kid. I’m reminded of how he helped me become who I am today. He was one of those great influences and I’m fortunate to have had him on my life’s journey. It is those moments, he had no idea of his influence but he was that person who looked into a kids soul and helped one kid at a time dig deep and helped guide many in ways a kid didn’t even understand at the time. Whenever, I thought of him throughout the years since those days, I was always left with a smile on my face. He was a great person, teacher and principal. Gerry Ann Fraser (nee Simpson)
Wes Friesen was an A+ man! He will be missed by so many!
Betty & family; so sorry to hear of Wes passing, our sympathies are with all of you, we always enjoyed our visits with you and Wes, and he was comfortable talking to anyone, a great man.
Betty, sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Cousin Shirley
Wes Friesen was the best teacher I ever had . I was in his home room in for grade six in Neville Goss . He made us start a half hour earlier than the rest of the school At the end of the year he said you don’t have to come early for the last week . Everyone showed up anyhow and did the extra work that takes an extraordinary person to get that commitment out of kids.I also never forgot him.Thank god for men like Wes Friesen My sincere condolences to the family
Lori & family: what a beautiful service as we just finished joining on line and in celebration of that mischievous dad of yours, of which we smile with fond memories of his inquisitive nature, never knowing whether it was a tease moment or of genuine interest. However, it was always of genuine interest and support as we entered new beginnings at FGCC. Our best to your mom as we remember her beautiful smile – Bettys smile came right from her soul we recall. Your testimonies were beautiful and the song “I want to see Jesus” was a fitting ending – may we all live the good fight, like Wes did. Much love…geri & Ron
Sorry to hear about your Dad,thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
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