Anna Friesen
August 29th, 2019
Anna Friesen passed away peacefully at Abbotsford Hospital on August 29, 2019.
She was born on July 18, 1938 to Abraham and Anna Krahn in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
She was the youngest of four children with her brother Abraham and sisters Catarina, Margaret. Her father Jacob and mother Anna predeceased her.
She married her sweetheart Artur Friesen on January 31, 1959. They shared six children Traude (Herb), Waldemar, Rudi, Siegfried, Monica, Beatriz and significant others.
They moved their family to Canada in December 1972 to start a new life in Vancouver, B.C. where they made years of wonderful memories.
They continued to grow their family with their thirteen grandchildren, Christopher, Jennine, Daniel, Krystal, Michael, Amanda, Steven, Lyndsey, Joey, Ryan, Matthew, Chad and Colleen and their significant others. Their thirteen great grandchildren Hailey, Shayla, Robert, Hayden, Lucas, Amelia, Ari-Anna, Kasyn, Bryce, Beckett, Nova, Cayley and Liam also brought her so much love and joy.
She is survived by her loving husband and their large extended family.
Anna was loved by many, made an impact on all those she met, always welcomed everyone with open arms and lots of love. She will be greatly missed.
The family is grateful for all those who have reached out with love, support and are celebrating the life of an amazing woman with them.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts to be made in form of a donation to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Messages:
Mom it's been a long 5 months without you , I miss your voice and your little giggle , i find myself talking to you and know your watching over us . You would be so happy and excited to see how Nova is growing everyday and trying new things . We miss you so much ..
Oh Oma ❤️ it's been 3 months and still hard to put into words how much you meant to us. We miss you dearly and know your watching over us. Your baking and cooking I will miss. Little chats and visits. Your love for family and the kids was endless. You will always be remembered and never forgotten ❤️ Love Always Melissa, Dan, Robert, Tyson & Rose
Mom, it's been 3 months tomorrow that you left us , it feels like yesterday. You are with me everywhere I go , not a day goes by that we dont think of you . We have all had our hard days without you . You'd be proud dad put up all your xmas decorations and it feels like xmas at your house only thing missing is you. Dad even buys you flowers and misses you so much . Your kids and grandkids , great grandkids all think of you daily . Hope your up there stitching and bitching . I miss your voice on the other end of the phone dad can no longer pass off the phone . May you rest in peace and know we love you and miss you like crazy . Love you MOM
2 months , it's been 2 months since you left us Oma , it still doesn't feel real , I often find myself wanting to pick up the phone and call you , to wanting to just come see you and I can't . I never could have imagined the day you would leave this place , I never wanted to know what it felt like to not have my Oma. I remember so many different memories with you , from baking to cuddling up in the motorhome in the morning . Fishing at the lake and you singing our fish song and it worked everytime . You taught me so many different things in life , you held my hand through all the scarey times , you comforted me through the tough times and loved me when I needed it most . OMA it's been 2 of the longest months of my life and some days I don't know what to do without you here . You'd be happy to know everyone has stuck together to help eachother through the abscense of you , I love and miss you sooo much !! Hope your resting peacefully wherever you are and I will see you again someday , love always your Lyndsey Lou
Mom I think of you everyday and it's not easy but I'm trying to be strong . I have so many fond memories from when I was growing up and so many from the years gone by , Duncan and I talk about you often he was always so proud to show you what he can do , like his pickles , jam and many more things but he so enjoyed helping you roll out the dough for pierogies and how he always loved giving you hugs . . I miss your puckered up lips and I wish I could give you more foot rubs and clean your house with you sitting in your chair .. I love and miss you like crazy but I know your at peace and looking over all of us .. I wish you where here for my 50th Birthday dinner .. LOVE YOU HOPE YOUR HAVING A PARTY UP THERE FOR ME ..
Not a single day goes by where I don't think about you , speak your name or wish that I could just have you back even just for a moment . To feel that warm embrace , those unpuckered lips for a kiss , or that giggle of yours laughing at something I've said. It's been 3 weeks to the day Oma , I miss you with each passing moment , my heart still doesn't know how to go on without you in my life , shattered into a million little pieces , not being sure which piece fits where . I love you soo much and will forever be missing you xoxo
Hello Oma I don’t have a lot to say but I have to tell you that raised a wonderful family. You always accepted me and my family into your home as does all of your family today. You will be dearly missed. Love always and forever. Sandra and family ❤️❤️
Oh Oma! Where do I begin. Her voice! Her laughter! Contagious! I can close my eyes and hear her laughing and muttering in German. She was such a bright soul. Little did I know when I was 16 I would not only gain a new family but be welcomed as one of their own. The first time I ever went to Oma and Opas apartment I must of only been 16 or 17. Krystal and I are were there for the weekend and off to the Mission Race Track we went while Hailey spent time with them. I was so shocked at how comforting it was to be there. The love, the trust, the food! I knew it was love as soon as soon as I took my shoes off. Another time we went to German fest! Got to see cows mating and dancers dancing. There were endless amounts of food so they made sure I took lots. Little did I know I took too much and I couldn’t eat both bratswurst and they made sure that I knew I was to eat what I took. That’s the thing, back then I thought wow I feel like I’m stuffed like a pig but as I got older I realized it’s because they want you to eat, be healthy, be happy and be merry. I will never forget the time that we were there for breakfast. We had FISH AND PANCAKES! Like who does that! The pancakes were so fresh and fluffy and the smoked salmon was melt in your mouth. I could go on and on about the food, like let’s be real it was amazing, and the best way to my heart. I will never forget the first time Oma hand made me a touque, not because I asked for one but because she made the other granddaughters them and she made sure to include me. I loved it so much that I cherish it and don’t want to wear it, but you know I think this winter I am going to bring it out. Not only did Oma make it to my Bridal Shower, but her and Opa made the long trip to Osoyoos for my wedding. That was one of the most special moments because I know it was a big trip for them to make and I am loved that much that they came. That is where I got my very own Oma made stitching. I could not believe the work that she put into it! The detail! The love! The time! She also had given me a kitchen hand towel. This towel was GOLD to me. Then the husband had got it and used it in the garage. I have never raised my voice so loud. I explained that OMA MADE IT! it’s one of a kind and I’m lucky to be able to have one and he ruined it. After many tears later I had to throw it away. BUT little did I know that same year, Oma was nice enough to make me ANOTHER ONE! Trust me, the husband knows now... kitchen hand towel ONLY. Now my tiny human has arrived into the world and low and behold guess who has been knitting away during my pregnancy. Oma! She made so many little things for my little man. I’m so very blessed that I was one of hers. Blood meant nothing! Oma never asked for anything! All she wanted was happiness and health. She was always there to listen no matter what the story. Oma is one of a kind and I am so so so blessed to have had her in my life. Because of her, I am the woman I am today. She was always giving, always saying yes to her grandchildren, always putting others first. She was a shooting star and may her body lie to rest where her soul and spirit be free and soar. May we all have a little piece of Oma in our hearts. Oma, I love you, your adopted granddaughter Brenda Thomson (Proper spelling is Thompson, however my handmade stitching says otherwise). It’s the imperfections that makes things perfect. Love you!
Mom, I’m so sorry I was not able to make your service. My thoughts were with you and of course your beautiful family that day and continue to be so today. I’m sorry you had to leave this earth, but I understand you are at peace now, so that helps. You’ve raised an amazing family and scattered your love all over so many people, that you will definitely live on in so many people’s memories. Know that everything you’ve taught your children will be passed on to their children and on to their children and so on, so you will literally never be forgotten. It’s your time to rest now and be with the other angels, go peacefully, and I look forward to seeing you again some day. With tons of love, Your youngest daughters friend, Tammy
Oma, the day before you passed opa said let's go out to Krystals house and you agreed. I was so excited to have you and opa over for lunch and a visit with the kids and I. Mom told u nova needed toys so you bought her, her first turtle and teething ring ♡ She absolutely loves her turtle.You made your yummy rice dish and brought oranges and watermelon. We ate and laughed as Nova was laying on her matt just jabbering away. After we ate we all sat in the living room and you fed Nova and she fell asleep next you on the couch and next thing I know you, nova and opa were all taking a snooze. I soaked up that moment and enjoyed every bit of it. Then it was time for you and opa to say goodbye and go home, little did I know that was the last time I or the kids would see you. The kids and I will forever remember you Oma ♡ Your 7th child Krystal
I have been a long time friend of Lyndsey's and i consider her family like my second family and they have accepted me in like one of their own. Oma and opa always had an open door policy, anytime me and lyndsey were in the neighbourhood, we would pop in for a visit and they would always welcome us in with open arms and smiles on their faces. I always looked forward to going to oma and opas. You can always gauruntee their will be freshly baked goods, good food and good conversations. Even if we paid an unexpected visit, oma always put out a spread of food of all sorts of things for us, we never left there hungry. I am beyond grateful that my daughter, Kenzie, was able to get in some of omas cuddles, and kisses. We all know how much joy babies brought to oma. You were a beautiful soul who impacted so many lives. Thank you for always accepting me into your home, even though i always ate your campino candies
Nossa família está sentindo muito pela perda da tia Anni , quando ela vinha nos visitar aqui no Brasil era muito bom , lembro que uma vez que ela veio , eu pedi pra ela fazer uma massa que a gente come com melancia pois eu estava morrendo de vontade de comer , e ela fez , nossa aquele dia foi muito bom , pena que ela não pode vir com o tio no ano passado , sentirei muitas saudades tia pois eu gostava muito da senhora , peço que Deus conforte a sua família, e conforte também o tio Artur , sentiremos muitas saudades .
The day we got the news was the worst feeling I've ever had , I've been thinking of you every minute , every hour that has past , I miss your giggle and just want to pick up the phone and ask if your stitching and bitching, I dont know where I or my kids would be if I didnr have such a loving mom who did everything possible to help me with Krystal , lyndsey , Matrhew and of course your grandkids Hailey Lucas and Nova . Just days before you left us I told you Nova needed some toys and of course you went and bought some for her which she loves .. I'm so happy that they got to see you the day before . Today I'm having dinner with Krystal and the kids I sure hope I make you proud as I made my first every strawberry rhubarb pie such hope it taste as good as yours .. I love you mom and miss you and know your as peace . I could go on but I gotta get that pie over to Krystal as we having dinner tonight . I'll give them big hugs and kisses for you ..
To Krystal, Lyndsey, Matt, Betty and the rest of the Friesen family. My sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Oma. Cherish the memories you have with her and the smiles and love she brought into your lives. She will live on forever in your hearts. Much love, Laura
We know Annie for so many years, even before she was married to Artur. When we where young, I always thought, how beautiful she was. Then we got older, and she still looked beautiful all the way. As we came to Canada, her and Artur invited us to parties at their house and welcomed us . We met them at many camping trips to Barnes Lake, talked a lot and enjoyed their hospitality there too. There I ate Rollkuchen, with bananas in there, for the first time. At Tamihi campground we've been together many times, too, since Gerhard And Trudie Neufeld where caretakers there. We all knew each other from the "old country"./ We are very sorry for your loss, family, but she is without pain now. And we all will remember her as a very happy, courageous person. Ervino+Marly Boschmann
Oma, yesterday was your service and everything was beautiful the room was filled with everyone whos hearts you touched , I got up to read a poem that we found and opa liked , I got about 2 sentences in before my eyes filled up with tears and my voice started to crack , but I made through . The hours following everyone shared stories of you and had some laughs , your going to be greatly missed. Love you forever your Lyndsey Lou
My last day with my loving wife. Our morning started out with getting up and having breakfast. I helped her with her shower as Monica was not able to help her that morning.She was complaining that I wasn’t washing her hair the way Monica does. She was then relaxing and stitching her cross stitch. At 11:45 the dialysis unit called and asked her to come early for her dialysis run she agreed as she like to get it done early in the day she was scheduled for her run at 5:30. We made a quick lunch of soup made with rice and turkey necks she wasn’t going to eat that so I added a can of beans and then she enjoyed her lunch.At 12:30 I walked her up to her bed helped her set up her bed and adjust pillows that she was comfortable for four hours. I said bye and went home like every other dialysis day. I went to pick her up at 4:30 to help her up out of bed. When I arrive on the fourth floor heading toward her bed the nurse Leslie stopped me in the hallway and sat me down in the waiting room and help my hand and I asked if there was something wrong and she said I can not tell you we will have to wait for the doctor.The doctor and a nurse said sorry for your loss that we tried for 30 minutes to revive her.Leslie started to tell me before she went on her break Anna was cross stitching on Monica newest picture that she wanted her mom to make Anna was happy and in good spirits.when she returned she notice that it looked like she was sleeping and she had her embroidery on her chest, Leslie checked her pulse and from there all the alarms went off and they tried to revive her. They moved her to a room and I went and held her hand and she was still warm to touch. My children all got notified and the came to say their good bye to their loving mom. I then said my goodbye by kissing her on her forehead. Rest In Peace my beautiful loving wife of over 60 years❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hello Anna, miss your smile and also your perogies. I am very grateful to have met your whole family. I know that I messed up with Betty I think about her quite a bit and I wish you were here. Last thing before I let you go can I have permission to try and get a hold of Betty, I wish I could still be with her, miss you and I will talk to you soon