We Remember

FRIESEN, Wayne Elden

April 12, 1954 — October 13, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Elden Friesen on October 13, 2025, at the age of 71. Wayne was born on April 12, 1954 in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, to John and Matilda “Tillie” Friesen (née Goosen).

After high school, Wayne joined his brother out in Northern British Columbia, where he worked at Endako mines for a couple of years before moving back to Saskatchewan and taking up dry walling. Wayne worked on dry walling contracts around Saskatchewan in his mid 20s before he decided to farm full time with his parents, John and Tillie. He married Shelly Wick in 1981, and together they took over the family farm in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. During their 27 years of marriage, they had two children: Lorelee and Kimberly.

Wayne had a long and rewarding career in grain and cattle farming, and he was blessed with many great friendships during this time.  In 2007, he sold the cattle and in 2012 he retired from grain farming at which time he moved to Kelowna, British Columbia, where he remained until his passing. During the farming years, Wayne spent many long days in the field and plenty of cold winter nights in the barn. He often brought the kids along to haul grain, ride in the tractor or combine, or round up the cows.  Harvest was always his favourite time of year and the family made many great memories sharing supper in the field.

In his younger years, Wayne enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and hosting friends for dinners. As he neared and entered the retirement years, travelling was a pastime he enjoyed immensely. Wayne always looked forward to sharing pictures and stories from his trips, and he always said what he loved the most about the hot vacations was walking the beach for hours. In recent years, he enjoyed visiting his grandkids, doing puzzles, watching the Kelowna Rockets and Saskatchewan Roughriders, and taking in events on the Kelowna waterfront.

He spent the last few months at Kelowna’s Mission Creek Landing Care Home and passed away peacefully there with his daughters Lorelee and Kimberly, and son-in-law, Jorden, by his side.

Wayne is predeceased by his parents, John & Tillie Friesen; nephews Loren Friesen, Eric Friesen, Michael Wall; and niece April Friesen.

He is survived by: daughters Lorelee (Aaron) Mathias, Kimberly (Jorden) Huber; grandchildren Harper and Cohen Mathias; brother Gerald (Fern) Friesen; sister Judy (Howie) Wall; nephew Brandon (Rebecca) Friesen; nieces Lauren Friesen, and Stacy Wall (Bouathong Keosysano); and 6 great nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the Mission Creek Landing Care Home and Kelowna Comfort Keepers staff.

Should you feel so inclined, you are welcome to make a contribution to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation or the BC Cancer Society Foundation.

As per Wayne’s wishes, no funeral service will be held, and a small family gathering will be held at a later date.

Wayne will be missed dearly by all. Until we meet again, may he rest in peace.

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Kelowna General Hospital Foundation or BC Cancer Society Foundation Link: www.kghfoundation.com, www.bccancerfoundation.com/donations

 


 


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