Evelyn Friesen

Evelyn passed away August 20, 2011 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Evelyn was born August 23, 1911, in Lake Preston, S. D. to T. K. and Bertha Matilda Thompson on the farm her grandparents homesteaded. Her mother died during childbirth when Evelyn was four years old, and she and her five siblings were raised by their father on the family farm. Together they weathered the Great Depression and the Dust Storms of the 1930's. After completing her high school education in Lake Preston, she moved to Long Beach, CA, where she met Thomas Friesen. They married in Bakersfield, CA August 1940. Together they had six children, Jim, Bonnie, Linda, Rick, Wally, and Carol. Tom's construction work moved them to various locations in South Dakota and Wyoming, finally settling in Casper. They divorced in 1959 and Evelyn raised the children by herself. She worked hard all her life to provide for her children. She heard the country mourn from the attack off Pearl Harbor to the falling of the Twin Towers. And having seen 18 President's come and go. She enjoyed cooking and having big family dinners. There were numerous family gatherings at her home and always on Christmas Eve every year. She loved to go camping, even at 93, when she fell and broke her hip in the Big Horns. She enjoyed working in her yard every day she was able to go out. She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, one son-in-law, Ron Dudley, and 2 grandsons, Dennis and Justin Stoeger. She is survived by her six children, Jim and (Audrey) Friesen, Bonnie Dudley, Linda and (Don) Morrison, Rick and (Jolene) Friesen, Wally Friesen, and Carol and (Larry) Stoeger, 21 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Cards and condolences may be left at Bustard's. Service to be held at 1pm Aug 23rd at The First Church of the Nazarene 2020 S. Jefferson.