March 25, 1930 – February 21, 2024

Isaac J Friesen, age 93, of Kelowna, BC passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Feb 21, 2024, at Central Okanagan Hospice House.

Isaac was born on March 25, 1930, in Schoenfeld, SK to Jacob and Maria Friesen. He was the youngest son, the ninth of eleven children.

Raised on the farm in Schoenfeld, SK, Isaac went on to work for Penner Tire in Swift Current, SK.  In 1962, he accepted a transfer to Yorkton, SK to open and manage the new store there.

In 1971 the family returned to Swift Current. Shortly after, Isaac joined his brother Peter in partnership and operation of Friesen's Furniture, a retail furniture store. He enjoyed every aspect of the business and continued to operate it until his retirement in 1990.

Isaac married Esther Penner of Wymark, SK on October 20, 1957, and were together for 66 years of marriage. They had three sons: Marvin (Lake Country, BC), Terry (Cranbrook, BC), and Brian (Lake Country, BC).

Isaac was a committed family man, and he enjoyed his time with his wife and his sons as they grew, going on many fishing trips in Saskatchewan, and camping vacations across western Canada and northwest USA.

Retirement brought many winters spent in Mesa, AZ, where he and Esther enjoyed the warm weather, many of the special events the area provided, and the relationships they made with other Canadian and American residents of the snowbird community where they lived.

In 1997, one final move was made by Isaac and Esther. This was to Kelowna, BC, where they spent almost 27 years together in the same home until Isaac's passing.

Church was another very important part of Isaac's life, as he and Esther attended Mission Creek Alliance Church in Kelowna each Sunday until he could no longer attend due to health issues beginning in 2018.

Isaac is survived by his wife Esther, and his three sons, Marvin, Terry, and Brian. He is also survived by his brother Peter and one brother-in-law, Abram, both of Swift Current SK, as well as his sister-in-law Anne. He was predeceased by his parents, Jacob (d. 1955) and Maria (d. 1979) and nine siblings.

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful husband and father!

The family would like to thank the kind nurses and staff of the Central Okanagan Hospice South House, and the Central Okanagan Hospice Association for the care and compassion they provided as Isaac spent his final days in their care.

A Funeral Service will be held on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, at 1:00 PM, located at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. There will be a private Graveside Service to follow, with a public reception being held at Springfield Funeral Home after the graveside. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, www.alzheimer.ca/en, Central Okanagan Hospice House, www.hospicehousekelowna.com, Central Okanagan Hospice Association, www.hospicecoha.org

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com.