Dan Friesen

Henry Daniel (Dan) Friesen, 81, passed away suddenly at his home in Warman, SK on July 2, 2025.

Dan was born to parents David and Justina Friesen on May 23, 1944 on the "riverbank" as he liked to say, on or near the family farm east of Osler. He grew up on the farm with ten brothers and sisters where they learned the value of hard work. He spoke only Low German at home until he went to a one room school - Saskatchewan School #99 - about a mile north of Clarkboro Ferry, where he learned to speak English. He was one of three Henry Friesens at the school and being the only one with a middle name, he became known as Dan for the rest of his life.

When he was younger, he was known for his adventurous spirit and managed to capture the heart of the love of his life, Sylvia Hildebrandt of Neuhorst, SK. They quickly became inseparable and married on March 9, 1963 and were together for 62 years. Their marriage was quickly blessed with four children.

Dan worked at various jobs and was known for being a jack of all trades. They operated a dairy farm for approximately 6 years until, tired of the cold winters and ready for a new adventure, in 1973 they picked up the entire family, including a two month old baby, and set sail for Auckland, NZ. He worked various jobs the first few years until finally settling in to work at the Auckland airport. During his time with Air New Zealand, Dan frequently crossed paths with Canadian travellers. True to his friendly and outgoing nature, he often invited them into his home, offering genuine Kiwi hospitality. Many of these chance encounters blossomed into lasting friendships that endured for decades.

Dan was always interested in trying new things. One of the more interesting and successful ventures he had while in New Zealand in the 1970s was to purchase a portable disco business. He and Sylvia had a lot of fun DJ'ing at various parties during the height of the disco era. To this day, it has left his children with an unusual love and appreciation for disco music.

After nine years in New Zealand, to ensure his children would not settle down halfway around the world, it was time to move back to Canada. Once home, they purchased a house in Vonda, but due to tough economic times, Dan had trouble finding work, which did not sit well with him. As a result, they ended up purchasing a dairy farm near Hague in the summer of 1983, which they operated for two years before selling the cows and quota. Dan enjoyed the airline business and soon took a job with Time Air, which then merged into Canadian Airlines.

When he was laid off at the Saskatoon airport due to downsizing, he followed his lifelong entrepreneurial spirit and bought Blocka Sales, a farm machinery parts business in Rosthern in 1993. Dan and Sylvia worked together in the business until 2009, when they decided to retire. After selling off their business and home in Rosthern, they moved to a condo in Warman. Still wanting to try new things, he purchased a motorhome and pontoon boat and spent the summers at Little Bear Lake where he developed a knack for catching lake trout. As he began to struggle with his mobility, Dan decided his adventuring days were behind him and he was content to relax and watch the traffic from his condo.

Dan is survived by his wife Sylvia, children - Ross (Dawn Marie) Ashlie, Warren (Cristy) Friesen, Whitney (Rebecca) Friesen and Monique (Trevor) Wurtz, as well as seven grandchildren - Rebecca, Matthew, Clayten, Simon, Garett, Julianne and Roxanne. He is also survived by brother Jack (Tena) Friesen; sisters Dorothy (Ross) Carviel, Nettie Schmidt, Sadie (Lance) Trotter, Eva Reddekopp, Marge Neufeld and Stella Friesen; in-laws Tena Friesen and Alma Friesen. Also surviving are Sylvia's sisters Linda Klassen, Betty (Jake) Banman, Frieda (Abe) Teichroeb, Irene Hildebrandt; and sisters-in-law Dianne Hildebrand and Mary Giesbrecht.He is predeceased by his parents, David & Justina Friesen, and Sylvia's parents, William & Anna Hildebrandt. He is also predeceased by brothers Dick, Dave and Pete (Tina) Friesen; in-laws Bill Reddekopp, John Willms, Bob Flathers, Don Sutherland, and Corney Neufeld; Sylvia's siblings and in-laws Anna (Abram) Hildebrandt, Edna (John) Wall, Ed Hildebrandt, Ernie Hildebrand and Cornie Klassen.

A Come and Go Viewing will be held between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Martens Warman Funeral Home, 402 Central Street West, Warman. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Martens Warman Funeral Home, Warman. Livestream link will be added here prior to Dan's Service. Burial will take place in the Warman Memorial Gardens following the funeral, with lunch to be served afterwards at the Warman Bergthaler Church.

If you are unable to attend Dan's Funeral Service, please click the following link to view the livestream: Livestream Service Link.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care and arrangements for Henry "Dan" Friesen.