110 East 12th Street
Vancouver, Washington
OLIVE FRIESEN
May 5, 1923 ~ April 19, 2018
Olive Friesen, daughter of Archie and Jeanie Thompson, was born at home on May 5, 1923, in a house built by her grandfather in Vancouver, Canada. She was named Olive Agnes, after the aunt who delivered her when the doctor arrived too late. Her ancestry was 96% Scottish, according to recent results.
As a young woman, Olive enjoyed managing a retail bakery. Later, Bill Friesen spotted her on her first day working at Dominion Bridge, they were married in early 1953, and honeymooned in Portland, OR. She and Bill and their two children, Jeanie and David, immigrated to the US in 1957, eventually settling in Vancouver, WA after living in Eugene, OR and Amboy, WA.
Olive had a great time working as an AV aide in the Columbia River High School library, riding herd on the AV students. She always loved kids and volunteered as a first-grade reading tutor after retiring in 1982.
She and Bill made multiple driving trips, across the US and into Canada. They drove the Alcan highway to Alaska when it was still partly gravel (she and the dog flew home). She enjoyed travel to the UK with Jeanie, plus several cruises to Eastern Canada and New England, and Alaska. A Caribbean cruise with both kids and grandkids was a highlight.
Olive was a woman of faith, teaching Sunday School for years and leading many women's Bible studies. She "prayed without ceasing" for family, friends and missionaries, she loved to entertain them at home. She trusted God for guidance in all ways, winning a cash drawing that provided a family Christmas one year when Bill was out of work.
Most recently, Olive lived at Mariana's Adult Care Home in Portland, where she was treated with unfailing kindness and loving care by her caregivers Lily and Romi. She died at home on April 19, 2018.
Olive is remembered with love by her sister, Cathie (Jack); daughter, Jeanie and grand-dog, Louie; son, David and his wife, Maureen; grandson, Ryan (Rachel); granddaughter, Kelly Ann (Josh); great-grandchildren, Ava, Carson and Bowie; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends. We trust she still prays for us all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Margaret; and brother, John.
A Celebration of Life for Olive will be 2:00 p.m., Sat., May 5, 2018 at Vista Community Church, 20018 NE 22nd Ave., Ridgefield, WA 98642.
Memorial donations may be made to World Vision.
Please share memories at
www.VancouverFuneralChapel.net and
www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
What a privilege to get to meet Olive. Her steadfast love of Jesus and her unwavering spirit set an example for us all. She lived a long full life, and raised a wonderful family. She will be missed.
Hannah Meredith
May 4, 2018
I will always remember all the years that Olive and I went to Bible studies together. She was a true woman of faith who shared so much with me about God and showed me about being a strong believer, no matter what happens in this life. I know that Olive is thrilled to be home with her Lord and Savior. May she rest in peace and be in our hearts forever. I am so sorry for your loss Jeanie.
Martha Stokesberry
May 2, 2018
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. May the "God of all Comfort" bring you and your family much comfort and peace during this difficult time. 1 Cor. 1:3,4.
April 29, 2018
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