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LANA (HELEN) FRIESEN
Born: Jan 26, 1932
Date of Passing: Jun 02, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryLANA (HELEN) FRIESEN
June 2, 2023, Lana Friesen, 91, passed away peacefully in her family’s home after residing there for the last eight months of her life. Those eight months were full of special memories and she was surrounded by loving family to the very last moment. That time will forever be treasured.
Lana was born in Riverside, MB on January 26, 1932, to parents, Cornelius and Mary Friesen. Lana had a large, close knit family whom she cared for deeply. She would often tell her daughter and grandchildren funny stories of life on the farm with her siblings. We heard about her brother, Frank, chasing her with worms and Lana hiding in the outhouse to escape punishment when she was naughty. She was always lured out when her dad brought a bag of candies to tempt her. We looked forward to her entertaining childhood stories and would ask her to tell them over and over again. Lana was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Pete, Susan, Bill, Frank, Johnny, Tina, and Len. She is survived by brothers and sisters, Art, Millie, Elmer and Laura.
Lana worked at Children’s Aid as a social worker until the age of 40, when she was happily surprised to be pregnant with her daughter, Merrilee Joy. Lana then decided to devote her time to raising her daughter at home, although she was always proud of her years in social work.
Merrilee was blessed with the “bestest” mom in the world and also the sweetest friend. Lana would do her upmost to bring joy to her daughter. When Merrilee was in grade five, a school party was forgotten until 10:00 p.m. the night before and she announced the need for an ET themed cake which had been promised to the class. Lana was not a cake decorator by trade or hobby, but Merrilee woke up to the most amazing ET cake ever created! Lana was an expert problem solver and quick to find a solution for anything. Merrilee has so many loving memories of her mom just like this which she will hold dear for the rest of her life. Lana will always be the “bestest” mom.
Lana has a special bond with each of her four grandchildren and they miss her deeply. Isabella Scammell, 22, was grandma’s first grandchild, and the one who would ask grandma for “stories from your mouth” endlessly. Nico Scammell, 17, got his name from grandma and doesn’t want to be called anything else. He arrived home Nicholas, but then Grandma visited for the first time and lovingly called him Nico. Nico has been his name since that day. Damien Henry, 21, always made sure grandma had her Ferrero Rocher chocolates, which were her favourites. Christian Roulette, 6, is her youngest grandchild who brought her so much joy and love in her last years of life. Christian would sit with her in bed to watch Peppa Pig and he was always in charge of the bedtime routine. Christian would announce “nighttime meds”, turn off the main light, turn on the closet light, and give grandma a big hug and kiss. He would take a few minutes to sit in her recliner and then say a sweet “goodnight grandma.” In her final moments of life, she only had energy to respond to her beloved grandchildren, whom she was so proud of. They all received a final “I love you.”
Lana had many close friends throughout her life whom she held dear. All her friends enjoyed her stories and her wonderful sense of humour. She loved having company to her apartment at Bethel Place where she and her friends would visit, share dinner and play scrabble.
A memorial will be held at the outdoor seasonal Leaf Garden at a date to be announced.
Our family would like to thank the Palliative Homecare staff, and all of Lana’s precious family and friends who phoned, visited, provided food, sent cards and brought gifts. These tokens of love and friendship were so meaningful to her.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2023