Isbrand John Friesen

1853 – 1933

Isbrand John Friesen was born October 22, 1853 was orphaned when he was about two years old. In 1860 he lived with a Mr. Born, who was a book binder. In 1861 he was taken in by Peter Friesen, a blacksmith in Chortitza. In 1871 he became an apprentice to Johann Friesen in Einlage. He later was a foreman in Peter Thiessen’s factory in Rosenthal for 3 years.

He joined the Einlage M.B. Church in 1881 after he and his wife were baptized. In 1887 he moved to Andreasfeld where he worked in Mr. Neuman’s factory. About 1893 he moved back to Einlage where he worked in Johann Friesen’s factory. In 1899 he moved to Gulyaipole to work in Mr. Kerner’s factory, in 1905 he lived in Wernersdorf, Molotschna Colony for 10 months. In 1906 he moved to Spat, Crimea where helped build a factory for Johann Langemann. About 1914, he moved to Millerovo, Don Gebiet. He was driven from his home in Millerovo after the Bolshevik Revolution. He and his family left Millerovo to immigrate to Canada on October 15, 1924. They initially lived in Hepburn, Sask., but they moved to Sardis in 1933.

Isbrand was married three times and had 18 children. His n.s. birthdate was November 4, 1853 per his grandson Ruben Mantler (October 22, 1853 on his grave marker). One source says he married Sarah Wiebe on May 5, 1896. Ruben Mantler (b. June 21, 1930) says he married Sarah Wiebe on 5 March 1897 and that he married Maria Hiebert on December 26, 1905.

He died of stomach cancer November 24, 1933. He was buried at the Yarrow Cemetery.




Maria Friesen

1861 -1949

Maria Hiebert Friesen, 88, was a resident of Yarrow and Sardis for 17 years. Her husband Isbrandt Friesen predeceased her in November 1933. She was born September 15, 1861 in the Don Province of Russia and moved to Saskatchewan in 1924 and to B.C. in early 1933.

Her death occurred October 15th 1949 at the Old People’s Home in Yarrow where she had lived for three years. Prior to that time, she resided with her son, William Friesen, 263 Vedder Road, Sardis for 13 years.

She is survived by her son William of Sardis and another son believed to be in Russia. She is also survived by her three daughters: Sara (Peter) Mantler, Abbotsford, B.C.; Olga (William) Matheusizck, Kelowna, B.C.; and Lydia (Abe) Unger, Ontario; and 22 grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Maria Hiebert Friesen were held at Greendale Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Henry Dueck officiating.

Burial was at Yarrow Cemetery.