Helen Esau Friesen, late of Crystal Ridge Manor, Chilliwack, went to meet her Lord late in the evening of Friday, Feb. 25, 2005.
Helen was born in Siberia on May 27, 1918, and she immigrated to Manitoba in 1929. In 1937 she married Henry Jacob Esau and they were soon blessed with three children. The Esau family managed a farm in Headingley, Man. until they moved to Chilliwack in 1958.
For many years she worked full-time in retail and as a seamstress, and also taught sewing classes at night school. Many Chilliwack brides wore her custom-made gowns. When Henry retired in 1981 they moved to Cultus Lake, moving back into town in 1986. That December, she survived quadruple-by-pass surgery, and together they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on March 21, 1987, just weeks before Henry went to his eternal reward.
Helen soon moved into Elmwood Terrace where she was fondly remembered for her baking and the dinners that would be sent down the hall. In 1989 she married John Friesen, welcoming his family; she now had more grandkids to bake, knit, and sew for. They shared 10 years together before John passed away.
Helen will be remembered for the virtues for which she was highly regarded and dearly loved: her strength of character, her devotion through prayer, her kindness and generosity, her gentle spirit, and her deep love of God and family. She had an extensive circle of friends and relatives whom she truly cared for and who cared for her in return. Her generous and loving heart would see a need, and it wouldn’t take long for a little dress or some baking to materialize for that special someone.
She left behind her three children, Louise Cheney (David), Jake Esau (Eileen), and Irene Raabe (Herman); nine grandchildren and spouses, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; John’s children, Albert Friesen (Linda), Lenora Esau (Walter), and Marlene Fehlauer (Ed), and their families, and by a large extended family.
We, the family, would like to say a special thank you to the Braun family and their staff at the Crystal Ridge Manor, Mom’s new home for the past six months. She never failed to tell us how very happy she was there and how special they treated her.
A viewing for family and friends will be at Henderson’s Funeral Home on Friday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. The Interment Service will be at Greendale Cemetery, Watson Rd., at 11 am on Saturday, Mar. 5. A Celebration of Her Life Service will follow at 1:30 pm at Central Community Church, Chilliwack Central Rd., with reception tea to follow.