Andy Friesen, Wichita
Andy Friesen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (jostfuneralhome.com)
November 20, 1935 - April 17, 2021
Andy W. Friesen was born in Hillsboro, KS at home with a midwife to Jesse and Lydia (Wiens) Friesen on November 20, 1935. He had four brothers and two sisters; he was the sixth child born.
They spent a lot of time working hard at their dad’s blacksmith shop. This is where he developed his work ethic (no wages were given). During harvest, he remembered hundreds of plow shears being brought in that he would sharpen. He also remembered traveling the state with his brother Vernon to tear down oil derricks for steel. He was proud to state “he could weld anything for anybody.” When he wasn’t welding, he enjoyed playing basketball with his brothers.
Andy accepted Jesus at a young age with the guidance of his brother Vernon. He was baptized at Schlehuber Lake by Reverend Waldo Hiebert on September 7, 1952 and joined Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. He was a member at this church until they joined First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita in 2007.
Andy attended Hillsboro elementary schools and graduated from Hillsboro High School. He held pole vaulting and free throw records. Academics were not his strong point but “common sense” treated him well. He attended Tabor College for one year and played basketball there.
He married his high school sweetheart Bonnie Delight Harder on March 1, 1957. He was a mere 21 years old and Bonnie was 19. Bonnie says they would have married earlier but Andy’s dad said he had to wait until he could sign the legal documents himself. Andy and Bonnie were blessed with two daughters, Christy and Shelley. In their 64 years of marriage, they traveled the world together and made wonderful memories.
Andy served his country by doing 1-W service for two years in Denver, CO during the Korean War. He worked as a hospital orderly and shared an apartment with five other friends who were serving with him. His culinary skills shined as he baked pies often for his roommates. After six months he married Bonnie and they lived in an apartment for the rest of his service commitment.
After returning to Hillsboro he worked in the blacksmith shop. His injured back forced him to find different employment. He went to work for his brother Alfred at Friesen’s Jewelers. He became an excellent watch maker and goldsmith. He could tell you the exact quality of any diamond. After seven years he and Alfred purchased Friesen’s (Franz) Furniture and Andy ran that business until his retirement.
He enjoyed serving the Hillsboro community and prided himself on always having a good work ethic. His philosophy was “when you work, work hard, and when you play, play hard.”
Andy played hard! His love of fishing and nature was well known to anyone that knew him. He spent countless hours on the water or in deer stands with Harry Thye, Bill Harmon, Paul Lange, and Tim Sullivan. He never could get enough. He supplied many friends, relatives, and neighbors with freshly cleaned fish. He literally fished around the world. Andy and his family enjoyed many camping trips. Their favorite spot was Milford Lake. The huge sand dunes provided great motorcycle challenges.
He also loved to play his trumpet and shared his talents at many weddings, funerals, and church services. He even took his trumpet to Russia on a Tabor College alumni choir tour. Andy also enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, and riding his motorcycle. He was a daredevil; he did diving exhibitions and motorcycle enduros.
Especially in his retirement years he enjoyed woodworking. He hand-built furniture for each of his children and grandchildren and even a couple of pieces for his great-grandchildren. His attention to detail was amazing. He could build, fix, or make anything with his hands.
In 2006 he and Bonnie moved to Wichita to be closer to family. They took multiple mission trips with “Volunteers in Missions,” and shared their skills with many. They enjoyed serving with Bonnie’s sister Betty (Lange) and Don Freuchting.
Andy and Bonnie moved to Schowalter Senior Care Facility in January of 2020, due to multiple health issues.
Andy passed away peacefully on April 17, 2021.
He is preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Lydia Friesen and four siblings. Survivors include: his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Christy Jewell; daughter, Shelley Funk and her husband Wendell; two grandchildren, Jordan Funk (Melissa) and Taylor Gould (Garrett); five great-grandchildren, Cora, Finley, Lily, Luke, and Griffin; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the wonderful help and care given by Dr. Jeff Reiswig, Schowalter Villa, and Harry Hynes Hospice.
Andy’s celebration of life will be at First Mennonite Brethren Church (8000 W. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67205) on Thursday, April 22 at 3 p.m.
The following memorials have been established in Andy’s memory: First Mennonite Brethren Church (8000 W. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67205) to help students go to church camp to enjoy nature and grow their relationship with Christ, and Schowalter Villa (200 W. Cedar St. Hesston, KS 67062) to go towards helping residents there have the best fishing experience possible. Please designate on memo line of your check “Andy Friesen Memorial.”
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