Jean Wismer Friesen

Jean Wismer Friesen passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020 in the presence of her family.

Jean met Hugo Friesen while he was waiting in Pennsylvania, USA for permission to travel to Germany. He fell in love with her. He proposed to her in Nuremberg (Nürnberg). On 11 July 1953, Jean married Hugo in Bedminster, Pennsylvania, USA.

Hugo and Jean moved to Hillsboro, Kansas, where Hugo earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1955. Hugo then taught at Yarrow’s Sharon Mennonite Collegiate from 1955 to 1963, serving as principal for five years. It was during these years that Hugo’s and Jean’s four children were born: Cherie, Ken, Becky, and Karen.

From 1963 to 1966, the Friesen family lived in Hong Kong, where Hugo and Jean worked for MCC; Hugo administered a program distributing food and clothing.

Back in Canada Hugo was principal of the Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI) for ten years and then taught at the school for another ten years while Jean taught there as well.


A "churn-dash" dowry quilt, circa 1883, was made by Lizzie (or Betsy) K. Wismer (1862-1941), daughter of Samuel & Elizabeth Kulp Wismer, of Bedminster Township, Bucks County, and a member of the Deep Run East Mennonite congregation.

Family tradition states that Lizzie made this quilt in anticipation of her upcoming marriage, but her fiancé died suddenly before they married, and the quilt was put away. Lizzie never married, but later gave the quilt to her nephew Harvey M. Wismer.

It was passed down to his granddaughter, Jean Wismer Friesen, who donated it to MHC.



Quilt made by Lizzie Wismer, in anticipation of a marriage that never happened. Single sisters Mary and Lizzie (right) Wismer, circa 1890, in front of their home in Bedminster Township.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Hugo Friesen, her parents, Norman and Laura Wismer, and three siblings; Earl Wismer, Eleanor Kaufman, and Don Wismer.

Jean is survived by her children, Cherie (Dennis) Thiessen, Ken (Lynn Bergsma) Friesen, Becky (Dan) Unger, and Karen (Al) Stobbe and greatly loved by her grandchildren; Joelle (James) Calloway, Michael (Tara Prystay) Thiessen, Laura (Jacob) Woodard, Amy (Ty) Klassen, Allegra Friesen, Simon Friesen, Rachel Unger, Caleb (Kalie Hayter) Unger, Karissa Stobbe, and Natasha Stobbe, as well as 10 great grandchildren. Jean will also be greatly missed by her sister, Nancy Hilty.

A private graveside service to celebrate Jean’s life and faith will be held.