Businessman, community activist.
Born at Giroux on 10 November 1924, to Jonas Q. Friesen and Caroline Reimer, following his mother's death when he was five years old, he was raised in Steinbach by his father and stepmother, Adina Schmidt Friesen. At age 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed in Whitehorse, Yukon. In 1947, he married Gladys Marion Funk Friesen (1926–2019) and later returned to Steinbach to work for, and eventually own, his father’s lumber yard.
After selling the business, he began a second career in Winnipeg with an association for handicapped persons. He served as the manager of Skills Unlimited (now Steps2work), a vocational workshop for individuals with disabilities, until his retirement at age 65. His tireless community service was driven by the needs of his son Garry Friesen (1950–2015), who was born with Down Syndrome. This personal mission led to the founding of Kindale School in Steinbach, providing the first educational opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities in the region. Known later as Kindale Industries that was managed by enVision, it has now shut down.
His advocacy extended to the provincial and national levels, serving on the Board of Directors for the Canadian and Manitoba Associations for the Mentally Handicapped (now S.P.I.K.E.). He was also an active member of the Rotary Club, receiving special acknowledgement for 31 years of service with the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). He was recognized with numerous awards for his career and community service.
He passed away on 29 March 016.
Obituary [Garry Charles Friesen], Winnipeg Free Press, 17 October 2015.
Obituary [Wilbert Alvin Friesen], Winnipeg Free Press, 2 April 2016.
“Breaking boundaries,” Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), 13 January 2017.
Obituary [Gladys Marion Funk Friesen], Arbor Memorial.
“enVIsion introduced new chapter of “Possibilities” as Kindale Industries closes,” Steinbach Online, 10 July 2025.
This page was prepared by Zeel Bulsara.
Page revised: 26 April 2026
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