Roger Friesen

Roger J. Friesen, age 89, of Faribault, MN passed away Friday, April 28, 2017at the Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, one day short of his 90th birthday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be at the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Shieldsville, with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Tuesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Roger Jacob Friesen was born on April 29, 1927 in Faribault, Minnesota to Edward William and Rose Marie (Simon) Friesen. The family farmed and moved several times during his childhood. He attended Rural District 21 school for 8 years before attending Faribault Junior/Senior High School. He left school to work on the family farm and completed his GED in 1950.

Roger was drafted in the fall of 1945 but his induction was delayed because he had pneumonia. He was honorably discharged in August 1947.

After service, Roger worked at Faribault Woolen Mills for about two years. He bought his first new car in 1950 - a Chevrolet. He attended Dunwoody Institute in 1950 and 1951 under the GI Bill. While attending Dunwoody, he worked part-time at Superior Radiator in St. Louis Park.

Roger began working at Schreyer Motor Company, a Chrysler-Plymouth dealer in June 1951 under the GI Bill for six months. He was then hired full time and worked for the Schreyer family for 43 years until they sold the business in 1993. Roger was a Master Technician and received several Mopar service awards during his career.

Roger married Mary C. (McKenna) on October 22, 1955 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Shieldsville. They made their home in southern Faribault for over 54 years raising their four children.

After Schreyer Motor Company closed, Roger began a ten year career at Faribault Transportation as a school bus driver. He really enjoyed his "clean" job and the kids. Roger also worked at Select Inn for several years as a maintenance person before finally retiring.

Roger and Mary loved to travel. They especially enjoyed traveling during their retirement years and loved the convenience of motor coach tours.

Roger was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He also volunteered for Bethlehem Academy, his church and the Rice County Historical Society.

Roger is survived by his four children, Cathy Mach (and Rob Whinnery) of Northfield, Ruth (and Bill) Chavis of Burnsville, Peggy (and Jeff) Purdie and Ed Friesen, all of Faribault; two grandsons, Ryan (and Renea) Truax and Chad Truax; two step-grandsons, Joe Chavis and Jeremy (and Krista) Chavis; nine great-grandchildren, Noah and Carter Truax; Parker Truax; Isaiah, Camisha, Jerone and Jalene Chavis; Emilynne and Brianna Chavis; brothers and sister-in-laws, Gerald (and Ceil) Friesen of Faribault, Francis of Apple Valley, and Kenn (and Sandy) Friesen of Sioux Falls, SD, brother-in-law James McKenna of Shieldsville, 25 nieces and nephews, many grand nieces and nephews , and cousins. He was preceded in death by Mary, his wife of 54 years; by his parents, brother William Friesen, sister and brother-in-law Jeanette (Friesen) and Jim O'Neil, father and mother-in-law, James and Ruth McKenna and sisters-in-law, Susan McKenna, Margaret Friesen and Sharon Friesen.

The family prefers memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy, Divine Mercy Catholic Church or St. Patrick Catholic Church.