Jean B. Friesen

Jean B.Friesen, 89, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 7:05 pm on January 12 at Park Place Senior Living, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jean was born on December 9, 1929, in Newell, Iowa, the daughter of the late Arthur and Laura (Grau)Bonebrake. She graduated from Diagonal High School in 1947 and earned her Bachelors Degree in Bible Music from Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska, in 1950. On July 16, 1950, Jean married the love of her life, Roland H.Friesen, in Diagonal, Iowa. Together they shared 56 wonderful years, before he preceded her in death on September 3, 2006. Mrs.Friesenserved alongside her husband as a missionary of the gospel with SEND International, based in Farmington, Michigan. They served together in Japan for 29 years and in Taiwan for 12 years. She taught English to the Japanese and Taiwanese people, as well as taught Sunday school, ladies Bible class, and served in womens ministries. Although Jean had a heart for serving in different capacities as a missionary, her greatest passion was being a wife, mother, and homemaker. Raising her family was always her first priority, teaching her children and lovingly leading by example. She also enjoyed sharing her love of music through singing and playing the piano. In 1993, she and Roland retired and moved to Upland, where they were members of the Upland Community Church. They both sang in the choir and were active volunteers with the Helping Hand Ministry. In 2014, when she moved to Fort Wayne, she attended Blackhawk Ministries. Jean will be greatly missed by her children: Loren (Donna)Friesen,Streamwood, Illinois; Gary (Janet)Friesen, Fort Wayne; Annette (Dale) Johnson, Fort Wayne; Bryan (Felicia)Friesen,Waxhaw, North Carolina; Philip (Carol)Friesen, Acworth, Georgia; andArlan(Linda)Friesen, Fort Wayne; a brother-in-law, Dr. Jack Lord; 19 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers: Dr. Cullen (Helen)Bonebrake; Dr. Arden (Bernice)Bonebrakeand his first wife, PatBonebrake; Rev. Boyd (Mary Ann)Bonebrake; and a sister, Ann Lord. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 19 from 9:00-11:00 am at Blackhawk Ministries, 7400 E. State Blvd., Fort Wayne. Graveside Service and Interment will be in Jefferson Cemetery, Upland, at 10:00 am on Monday, January 21, with Pastor MarkBiehlofficiating. Immediately following the burial, from 10:30-12:30 there will be a Reception at Upland Community Church, 439 W. Berry Ave. The Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 20 at 2:30 pm at Blackhawk Ministries, with Pastor Kevin Rivers officiating. Immediately following the service dinner will be served for family and out-of-town guests. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to be sent to SEND International, PO Box 513, Farmington, MI 48332 for the OkutamaBible Chalet project, a camping ministry in Japan to engage the next generation for Christ. Arrangements were entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel ofArmes-HuntFuneral Home Cremation Services, 259 N. Main St., Upland, Indiana. Online condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.Visitation Sat, Jan 19, 2019 at 9:00 am - 11:00 am Hontz Hall 307 W. S. "H" StreetGas City, IN 46933Memorial Service Sun, Jan 20, 2019 at 2:30 pm Blackhawk Ministries 7400 E. State Blvd.Fort Wayne, IN 46815Graveside Service Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 10:00 am Blackhawk Ministries 7400 E. State Blvd.Fort Wayne, IN 46815