Wilma Maureen Friesen (née Halstead) of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the age of nearly 91.

Wilma was born on September 4, 1935, the youngest of three daughters of Edna (née Fowler) and William Clarence Halstead. Wilma took pride in her parents’ contributions to the Beaverlodge community: her mother was a pioneering teacher, and her father, an English Home Child immigrant who helped survey the Edson Trail.

Wilma’s younger years were spent on a farm north of Beaverlodge, over the top of the hill. She walked two miles to Beaverlodge School (Grades 1-12), played sports and the piano, and twirled a majorette baton with the Beaverlodge Band for six years. She earned money working at the local theatre (Grades 7 to 12, making $4 a night) and the post office. After her mother discovered she could not “read” music, in high school, Wilma passed the Grade 12 Royal Conservatory of Music Theory exam.

Unfortunately, Wilma’s father passed away before her last year of school, so she and her mom moved into “town.” Upon graduating with honors, Wilma attended the University of Alberta for two years and graduated with distinction. She taught for nearly 30 years. Her teaching career began at Bezanson School, followed by seven years with the GP Public School District. After the birth of her children, she resumed her career when her youngest was four. When teaching qualifications changed, Wilma worked diligently to complete two more years of university courses at the GP Regional College and the U of A, taking night courses as well as summer sessions. She earned a four-year Bachelor of Education degree in 1978, two years before her eldest daughter. Wilma taught at Avondale School, LaGlace, and then at Harry Balfour School for 21 years until she retired in 1990. Mrs. Friesen taught Grade 1 for twenty years and enjoyed reconnecting with former students!

Wilma met Cornelius Friesen from LaGlace at a Beaverlodge dance, and the couple married on October 8, 1956. Residing in GP, they embarked on a lifetime of adventure, hard work, and devotion to one another. A few years later, Wilma and Corney purchased the farm near Kleskun Hills, where they built a life centered on grain farming, cattle, and a flourishing garden. While enjoying her career and farm life, Wilma’s greatest accomplishment and highest priority was always her family. She raised her children with unconditional love and guidance, creating a home filled with warmth, laughter, and lasting traditions.

In 1994, the empty nesters moved back to GP. Sadly, Wilma was widowed in October of 2001. At the age of 80, she enjoyed living at The Gardens, playing bingo, visiting, and accompanying weekly sing-alongs on the piano, playing by ear!

Wilma enjoyed work, but she also had numerous and varied interests: craft courses (to build her own baby crib), copper tooled art, gardening, knitting, sewing wardrobe items, drapes, bridesmaid dresses, quilts, Barbie clothes, and tents, even for her granddaughter’s friend. Wilma enjoyed being a spectator at her grandchildren’s various activities and sporting events. She sang in the United Church Choir and with the Sweet Adelines and went all over the Peace square dancing, playing cards, and enjoying friendly competition at neighborhood whist parties.

To help build community, Wilma volunteered with the G.P. and District Old Timers’ Association, ATA and ARTA, GP Hospital Auxiliary, United Church Women’s Club, Peace District Ostomy Association, Just Us Club of Crystal Creek, and 4-H activities. She was on the GP Seniors’ Games Zone 8 Executive, as well as being an active participant. Wilma was also a member of the Quilt Guild and the Golden Age Centre and enjoyed working at the Festival of Trees, Meals on Wheels, and Wendy’s Hole-in-One, along with canvassing for the Cancer, Lung, and Diabetes Associations. She and her husband were fortunate to enjoy traveling to many places in the world such as Australia, Europe, China, and South America.

In later years, Mom mentioned her fear of losing the ability to look after herself. Unfortunately, Wilma was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease (dementia) in her later years, robbing her of independence, her ability to be mobile, and her dignity. She managed it all with strength and grace.

Wilma was predeceased by her parents; husband Cornelius M. Friesen; sister Melvina Morrell-Haggerty; her in-laws, Leise and Cornelius Sr. Friesen; brothers-in-law Jack Morrell, John Bishop, Cliff Haggerty, Hartley Buhler, Victor, Menno, and Dave Friesen, and Joe Wideman; sister-in-law Margaret Friesen; niece Elaine Friesen; and many wonderful friends.

Wilma is survived by her children and their families. Children: Sheena (Ken) Ness, Neil (Lana) Friesen, and Marilyn (Floyd) Bozarth. Beloved grandchildren: Mitchell Ness, Carina (Steve) Zwack, Tyson (Kaylee) Ness, Lincoln (Lana) Bozarth, Sadye Robertson, Mason Bozarth (Brenda Lastowski), and Carleigh Friesen-Harrower (Aaron). Cherished great-grandchildren: Ellie, Emett, and Mac Robertson, Hazel and Abilene Bozarth, Brinley, Bryson, and Brielle Zwack, Piper, Manning, Vayda, and Scottee Ness. Wilma is also survived by her sister, Glenelda Bishop; sisters-in-law Liz and Martha Friesen, Elizabeth Wideman, and Madeline Parlee; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the nurses, doctors, healthcare workers, and all who helped care for our mom over the last few years. Your kindness, compassion, and dedication were noticed and appreciated. A special thank you to the caregivers and staff at the GP Care Centre for the care and support you provided. Your patience, warmth, and genuine concern meant so much to our family. We are deeply grateful for all that you have done.

A family celebration of life will be held in the fall. The family has three wishes to help honour our treasured Mom: Invest energy into learning something new, do something to help another person, family, or your community, or contact a friend to laugh and enjoy a visit with. All these are things Mom would have embraced. Thank YOU for the wonderful life and memories you helped Wilma create. Mom often told us that we should not feel sad when she passed, because she had lived a wonderful life and felt blessed!

If wishing to honour Wilma’s legacy, memorial donations may be made to:

• The Grande Prairie and District Old Timers’ Association Scholarship Fund (Box 21028, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6W7)
• Diabetes Canada – AB – Alberta Monitoring (12220 Stony Plain Road NW, Edmonton, AB, T5N 3Y4)
• Grande Prairie Care Centre Resident and Family Council (c/o 63020 TWP Rd 711A, County of Grande Prairie, AB, T8W 5H1)
• Consider giving flowers or a plant to someone who is struggling, a senior, healthcare worker, teacher, or friend!

God’s Garden

God looked around His garden

And found an empty place.

And then He looked down upon the earth,

And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you,

And lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,

He knew you were in pain,

He knew you would never

Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,

And the hills were hard to climb.

So, He closed your weary eyelids,

And whispered, "Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you didn’t go alone,

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.