Vernadine E Friesen

Vernadine Eva (Nichols) Friesen, 92 of Fairbury, NE passed away September 5, 2017 at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury.  She was born October 5, 1924 to Carrie & Columbus Nichols at Waldron, Arkansas.

The Christmas eve she was 6, her father was killed by a drunk driver. After that, her Grandpa Harkey lived with them, just her, her brother Vestal and her Mom, Carrie.  Grandpa Harkey farmed around Muskogee, OK, so she always lived on a farm.

She went to different grade schools and finished 7 ^th grade at the country school, and then moved to Warner, OK, because her Grandpa died.  She graduated from Warner High School in 1942.  She was a member of the National Honor Society, she played basketball, and was catcher on the softball team.

After graduation, she moved to Purcell, OK and worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company until she transferred to Larned, KS to work for Southwestern Bell.  She was a bookkeeper and cashier at Duckwall’s and Montgomery Wards.  While she was there she met Dwaine Friesen in 1953 and they married in 1955.  They have 3 children, Ed, Sherre, & Doug.

They moved to Nebraska in 1956 and began farming in 1957. She enjoyed being a farm wife, singing duets with Dwaine, her family, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and hosting friends and family in her home.  They retired in the hills South of Fairbury, and she was very much at home there, since she had been raised in the hills of Oklahoma. She loved watching the birds, deer and turkeys. These critters were also at home in their yard, be it front or back.

She gave her heart to the Lord when she was 17 years old and she looked forward to the day when she would see Him face to face.

She is survived by her husband Dwaine, children Ed (Peg) Friesen of Fairbury, Sherre (Don) Whitton of Edmond, OK, Doug Friesen of Fairbury, grandchildren Jake (Alicia) Friesen of Fairbury, Sarah (Dan) Corstange of New York City, NY, Meg (J.D.) Prater of Oakland, CA, great-grandchildren Micah Friesen and Isaac Corstange, sister-in-law Betty Nichols, nieces and nephews and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Vestal, daughter-in-law Paula and grandson Connor.

Memorial services will be Monday, September 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Chapel with Pastors Dan Martin, Mike McDonald & Steve Friesen officiating. Memorials will go to the Family's Choice.