Maria (Bartsch) Friesen passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2017, at the age of 106 years.

Maria was born on November 8, 1910 in Swift Current, SK, to parents Justina and Peter Dyck.

She was predeceased by her first husband John Bartsch in 1966, at the age of 58 years. Together they had 7 living children. Two sons, Henry and John, have predeceased her. The surviving children are: Minnie Cummings, Margaret Allen, Bill (Marylou) Bartsch, Justina Ferris, and Adina (Jim) Ringle. Two sisters in-law: Esther (Alex) Christensen and Diane (Mike) Kalym are also surviving.

Four sisters are left to mourn her passing: Elizabeth Dyck, Justina Franz, Wilhelmina Reimer, and Tina Horne and her sister-in law Kay Dyck (wife of Cornelius).

She was predeceased by her parents; and brothers: Peter, Jake, and Cornelius.

In 1968, she married Jake Friesen of Saskatoon SK. Of his 6 children, there is one surviving son, Pete (Mary). Other surviving family members are daughters in-law: Helen, Martha, and Gladys. She was predeceased by his sons: Rusty, Herman, Jack, and Henry; daughter Anne and her husband Abe Zacharias.

From these two wonderful families, there are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren to remember Maria as a grandmother who was also their good friend. She will also be remembered fondly by many extended family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017, at 11:00am, at Hythe Alliance Church.

A Private Interment will take place at Grande Prairie Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Westview Nursing Home (Box 2200, Linden, AB, T0M 1J0).