Elizabeth “Betty” Friesen
August 20, 1934 – December 31, 2025
Elizabeth (Betty) Friesen (nee Giesbrecht) passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025 at the Hospice at Glengarda. She was born in Rheinland, Saskatchewan on August 20, 1934 to Jacob and Helena Giesbrecht. She grew up on a farm near Warman, the sixth of twelve children.
In 1955, she married Bill Friesen and they made their first home in Saskatoon. They started a family and soon began dairy farming near Osler. Although the children and the farm kept her busy, Betty enjoyed many hobbies and volunteered at the Osler Mennonite Church. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing quilts, blankets, bedspreads, dresses and other clothing. She enjoyed knitting baby blankets and sweaters. She also loved creating acrylic paintings and many of them hang on the walls of her families’ homes. Both Betty and Bill enjoyed curling and continued to do so after their move to Dalmeny in 1991 and then to Arbor Green Retirement Condos in 2001. They welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren into their lives and family get-togethers were an important part of every holiday. Betty moved to Luther Heights after Bill was placed in long term care. Here she enjoyed the social life, joined the choir, renewed old friendships and made new ones. In the last six months, Betty’s health was deteriorating and on November 3, 2025 she suffered a stroke and, as she was unable to regain her strength and mobility, she was placed in hospice care.
Betty leaves to mourn, her daughter Joan (Pat) Jones, granddaughters Tasha Jones, Amanda Jones (Terrance Jakubowski), and grandson, Travis Jones; her daughter Patricia (Philip) Adair, grandson, Nolan Adair; daughter Connie (Brian) McLaren, grandson Torrey (Carlyn) McLaren, granddaughter Shayla (Joe) Welter; son Darryl (Anissa) Friesen, granddaughters, Amanda (Nathan) Meschishnick, Morgan (Malcolm) McDonald; great-grandchildren: Noah, Everett, Auden, Alva, Rylah, Connor, Isla, Jack, Evelyn, Lillian, Ike, Kieran and Rory.
Also mourning her loss are her sisters, Anne Peters, Tena (Jack) Friesen, Margaret Friesen, Mary (Jake) Adrian; her brothers, Abe (Mary) Giesbrecht, John (Kathy) Giesbrecht, Frank (Maxine) Giesbrecht; her sisters-in-law. Karen Giesbrecht, Elizabeth Wiebe, Marie Giesbrecht, and Margaret Friesen.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 66 years, Bill Friesen, her grandson, Morgan Adair, her great-granddaughter, Josephine Meschishnick, her brothers Peter, Jake, and George Giesbrecht, her sister Helen Neudorf, and numerous brothers and sisters in law.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Hospice at Glengarda.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Osler Mennonite Church, Osler, SK. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE ELIZABETH “BETTY” FRIESEN
(No password or login will be necessary. 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.)
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
Betty and bill were faithful members of osler Mennonite church. Betty was the most faithful follower of services on line. She will be missed. Betty was Louise’s older cousin …their mothers were Guenther sisters. Audee Betty! Jake buhler
I loved having Betty in the Lutheran Heights choir. We would always have a brief conversation when she came in to sing. Betty with a smile and a kind word for me. She is imprinted in my heart.
Carol Brandt
Living in BC, I didn’t know Aunt Betty well, but at any family reunions, I always had a great conversation with her. She was always smiling and interested in what our families were doing. I remember her fondly, and she will be missed.
Thank you for your kind words, Kathy!
Aunty Betty was always so kind to us when she came to Fort St. John to visit us. I was so thrilled when she was able to come to Mom and Dad’s 50th anniversary in 2024. Sending all of you our heart felt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.