Helen Friesen was born on August 18, 1919 in Gladjen, Russia to Henry and Elizabeth (nee Goertzen) Unger.

In 1925 the family immigrated to Canada. The first residence was in Holmfield, Manitoba., then in Port Rowan, Ontario and later in Steinbach, Manitoba.

At the age if 16, she was baptized and joined the M.B. Church in Holmfield. She met her husband Peter P. Friesen at the Steinbach Bible School and they were married on June 12, 1941 in Steinbach. They farmed in Justice, Manitoba until 1947, then moved to Chilliwack, B.C. and four years later to Yarrow, B.C.

Helen and Peter served as deacons in the Yarrow M.B. church for 17 years. Helen also taught Sunday School, helped in the church library and was a member of the Ladies Fellowship.

She loved to cook, enjoyed her garden, knitting blankets and crocheting tablecloths. Her other hobby, Peter's as well, was reading. At times over 100 books from various libraries would be waiting to be enjoyed. Although she only was able to finish grade seven, it did not stop her from broadening her education and passing on the love of books to her children.

When Peter became ill from cancer, she devotedly cared for him until his passing eight months later in 1983. Although her health deteriorated in the last years, she enjoyed family gatherings with her children and grandchildren.

Helen suffered a heart attack and passed away on Sunday, July 30, 1995 while listening to the Yarrow church service via radio.

She was a wonderful wife and mother, whose only concern was for the good of her husband and her children Henry, Arthur, Albert, Kathleen and Peter.