Obituary for Gretta May Friesen
Gretta May Friesen (nee Lintott), 89, of Winnipeg MB went to be with her Lord and Saviour in eternity on April 5th. She leaves to mourn her children: David Friesen, Lorna Sherlock (Alan), Donna Melsness (Mark); her grandchildren Jacob and Isaac Friesen; Breana, Alyssa and Riley Sherlock; and Eli (Rachel) and Tola Melsness; and two brothers, Lloyd (Tina) and Paul Lintott. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Helmut, her parents, Erle and Nellie Lintott and her little brother, Robin.
Gretta grew up in a loving Christian home and accepted Jesus when she was 8 years old at VBS. She left home when she was 16 to attend high school at Two Rivers (Nipawin Bible Institute). She then continued on after graduating from high school to attend bible school there. After this, she went on to take the 3 year RN training course at Grace Hospital where she made some very good lifelong friends. In her later life she took a nurse upgrade course and spent her last years of nursing at Deer Lodge Hospital.
Gretta began her nursing career in the Carberry Hospital where she met the man who would become the love of her life. Helmut and Gretta were married in 1961 and had 53 loving years together. They enjoyed many trips, including driving to Acapulco for their honeymoon. They also took many camping trips with the whole family and their love of the outdoors has been passed on. She treasured her last trip with Helmut in the summer of 2014 to the western United States.
Clear Lake was one of her favourite places as she went there as a child and then in her early married days. She passed this love of Clear Lake on to her children and grandchildren through the tradition of spending Labour Day weekends there with her whole family.
Another favourite place of Gretta May’s was her cousin’s farm (Raymond and Mary). She was special to her Aunt Elsie (Raymond’s Mom) because Gretta May was like the daughter that she never had. Both prior to and after being married, she spent many holidays on the farm.
Gretta's number one priority was her faith in Christ. She prayed regularly for her family right up until the very end. She loved her family and friends and wanted all of them to meet her in heaven. She reached out to others in many ways - through bible studies at Kiwanis Courts and in the neighbourhood, teaching Sunday School, serving at Lion’s Manor by playing the piano and serving on various missions committees. She and her Dad also taught VBS together when she was younger. Almost all her years in Winnipeg, she attended Bethel Baptist Church and made many close friends here whose friendship lasted throughout her life.
Gretta's greatest joy, besides her Saviour, was her children and grandchildren. She always wanted to keep up on what everyone was doing and greatly looked forward to visits with her children and grandchildren.
Over the years Gretta had many different interests, talents, and hobbies including crosswords, puzzles, reading, playing games, writing stories, genealogy, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, playing the piano (and in earlier years the accordion and even Hawaiian guitar), and last but not least collecting dolls. For exercise she regularly biked until she was 80.
The family would like to thank all the staff on Weinberg 2 at the Simkin Centre for their wonderful care of our mom and grandma.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be given to the following:
Northern Canada Evangelical Mission
PO Box 3030, 6110 Holmes Dr., Hwy 3 W.
Prince Albert, SK
S6V 7V4
https://ncem.ca/
or
Nipawin Bible College
Box 1986
Nipawin, SK
S0E 1E0
https://nipawin.org/
A celebration of Gretta May's life will be held at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Dr., Winnipeg, MB on Tuesday April 12th at 12:30 p.m. with interment to follow. Viewing will take place at 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. The family requests that all attendees wear masks.
The service will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/cUl67Qt6qZ4
Gretta grew up in a loving Christian home and accepted Jesus when she was 8 years old at VBS. She left home when she was 16 to attend high school at Two Rivers (Nipawin Bible Institute). She then continued on after graduating from high school to attend bible school there. After this, she went on to take the 3 year RN training course at Grace Hospital where she made some very good lifelong friends. In her later life she took a nurse upgrade course and spent her last years of nursing at Deer Lodge Hospital.
Gretta began her nursing career in the Carberry Hospital where she met the man who would become the love of her life. Helmut and Gretta were married in 1961 and had 53 loving years together. They enjoyed many trips, including driving to Acapulco for their honeymoon. They also took many camping trips with the whole family and their love of the outdoors has been passed on. She treasured her last trip with Helmut in the summer of 2014 to the western United States.
Clear Lake was one of her favourite places as she went there as a child and then in her early married days. She passed this love of Clear Lake on to her children and grandchildren through the tradition of spending Labour Day weekends there with her whole family.
Another favourite place of Gretta May’s was her cousin’s farm (Raymond and Mary). She was special to her Aunt Elsie (Raymond’s Mom) because Gretta May was like the daughter that she never had. Both prior to and after being married, she spent many holidays on the farm.
Gretta's number one priority was her faith in Christ. She prayed regularly for her family right up until the very end. She loved her family and friends and wanted all of them to meet her in heaven. She reached out to others in many ways - through bible studies at Kiwanis Courts and in the neighbourhood, teaching Sunday School, serving at Lion’s Manor by playing the piano and serving on various missions committees. She and her Dad also taught VBS together when she was younger. Almost all her years in Winnipeg, she attended Bethel Baptist Church and made many close friends here whose friendship lasted throughout her life.
Gretta's greatest joy, besides her Saviour, was her children and grandchildren. She always wanted to keep up on what everyone was doing and greatly looked forward to visits with her children and grandchildren.
Over the years Gretta had many different interests, talents, and hobbies including crosswords, puzzles, reading, playing games, writing stories, genealogy, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, playing the piano (and in earlier years the accordion and even Hawaiian guitar), and last but not least collecting dolls. For exercise she regularly biked until she was 80.
The family would like to thank all the staff on Weinberg 2 at the Simkin Centre for their wonderful care of our mom and grandma.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be given to the following:
Northern Canada Evangelical Mission
PO Box 3030, 6110 Holmes Dr., Hwy 3 W.
Prince Albert, SK
S6V 7V4
https://ncem.ca/
or
Nipawin Bible College
Box 1986
Nipawin, SK
S0E 1E0
https://nipawin.org/
A celebration of Gretta May's life will be held at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Dr., Winnipeg, MB on Tuesday April 12th at 12:30 p.m. with interment to follow. Viewing will take place at 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. The family requests that all attendees wear masks.
The service will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/cUl67Qt6qZ4