Walter S. Friesen

Walter S. Friesen, age 91, died peacefully Aug. 26, 2023, in Hesston KS. He was born Nov. 14, 1931, near Garden City, KS, to Henry R. and “Minnie” (Schmidt) Friesen into a decade of severe dust storms and financial difficulty before moving to Meade, KS. There he chose baptism and graduated from Meade Bible Academy. He graduated from Tabor College (English) and met Carol Heinrichs. They married Sept. 5, 1953 and parented three children. Walter earned an EdD (Educational Psychology) and later an MDiv. His career in various aspects of human development included serving as administrator/counselor at Kansas State, Pima Community College, Wichita State, and Bethel College, before taking a Mennonite Voluntary Service sabbatical and becoming ordained. He pastored First Mennonite Church (Denver), Eden Mennonite (Moundridge), Hope Mennonite (Ft. Worth), and semi-retired to interim pastorates, directing Hesston College’s Pastoral Ministries Program, chaplaincy work, and volunteer pastoral counseling. He served on many mental health and advisory boards. Early hard times were balanced by family life rich with faith, laughter, discernment and harmony singing, which guided his entire life. Mentoring from Karl Menninger during 1-W service was formational. He cherished Anabaptist teachings of grace and reconciliation, and he sought to deepen his Biblical understandings, apply and align them authentically in daily living, and empower others toward positive interactions. Walter delighted in words through writing, presentations, poetry, humor, and building understandings with others through mutual conversation. He was a curious learner and teacher at heart. He enjoyed designing both programs and his surroundings, including gardening and drawing/painting projects. Nature and new experiences through travel gave him energy and inspiration. He toured Uzbekistan and Paraguay, and speaking engagements took him throughout the continent. Most of all, Walter loved singing in harmony, in groups and especially with Carol. With a vast repertoire, he frequently broke into song, even in his last weeks. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Carol of 68 years; parents-in-law Pete & Lillie Heinrichs; siblings Ruth Isaac, Harry Friesen, Alfred Friesen, Benjamin Friesen; siblings-in-law Hilda Friesen, Abe Isaac, Joyce Friesen, Wanda & Richard Harms, and Lowell & Bonnie Heinrichs. He is survived by children Randal & Mary Helen (Hayes) Friesen (Denver), Nancy Friesen & Stewart Gehring (Chicago), Jenny & John Fast (rural Goessel); grandchildren Peter Friesen & Katrina Eyster, Stephanie Friesen, Dorian Gehring & Sima Cunningham, Karlyn Gehring, Evan & Kelli (Kroeker) Fast, Isaac Fast; great grandchildren Elias Fast, Emilia Fast, Zulal Gehring; sisters-in-law Verda Friesen, Mary Friesen, Janice Friesen; and many cherished nieces & nephews. The Celebration of Life service will be Sept. 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston, KS, with an interment preceding the service. The service will be live-streamed at www.whitestonemc.com, and available for a short time thereafter. Visitation with family will be Sept. 22, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Whitestone Mennonite Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund or Whitestone Mennonite Church, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Walter S. Friesen

November 14, 1931 - August 26, 2023