Marianne Friess, late of Estevan, formerly of Bienfait, passed away at St. JosephÕs Long-term Care on April 9, 2007 at the age of 93 years, with her family at her side. Born November 19, 1913 to Joseph and Barbara Olheiser at Marienthal, Sask., she was their first child to be born in Canada.

She married Anton Friess on October 26, 1937 a Marienthal Roman Catholic Church. To this union, six children were born - Harvey of Regina, Dennis (Lorna) of Saskatchewan Beach, Eileen (Henry) Shpyth of Saskatoon, Eugenia (Douglas) Christenson of Bienfait, Janice (Arnie) Chamney of Estevan, and Carmen (Darcy) of Estevan. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; five sisters, Margaret Finch, Elizabeth Miller, Annie Schwab, Josephine Liska, all of Estevan and Alexandra Miller of Surrey, B.C.; and two brothers, John (Cecelia) Olheiser of Carlyle and George (Beatrice) Olheiser of Estevan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marianne was predeceased by her husband, Anton; her parents, son-in-law, Clayton Burkholder; granddaughter, Shelley Chamney; three sisters - Eugenia, Johanna and Maria; and three brothers - Peter, Emanuel and Joseph.

Marianne enjoyed sewing, whether it be repairing or manufacturing clothes for her kids, producing beautifully coloured quilts or designing Barbie doll clothes, which people came from miles around to purchase. Put a needle in her hand, and it seemed her face would brighten and that wonderful smile we all remember would appear across her face. An insight of what MarianneÕs quilts meant to all who were fortunate to receive them is a poem by granddaughter, Debbie:

The quilts of many colors Grandma made for me Were filled with much love Flowers, diamonds, circles, & squares Blues, greens, reds and more Oh! I bet her hands were sore The hours and spools of thread Each stitch was sewn with care Her quilts adorn many beds Oh! IÕm kept so very warm The many quilts of colors Grandma made to me.

Marianne enjoyed having her family and friends at the house. She would spoil all with her doughnut holes, soucha kouga and blic chingas. She also loved gardening and always produced the much needed vegetables along with beautiful flowers she so tenderly nurtured.

Because of her strong religious beliefs, she was a member of the Catholic WomenÕs League for 53 years, once again showing her compassion and devotion.

Funeral mass was held at St. MonicaÕs Roman Catholic Church in Bienfait on Friday, April 13, 2007 wither Father Peter Nijssen officiating. Interment in Bienfait Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Orsted Funeral Home, Estevan.

Pallbearers were her seven grandsons - Dennis, Clinton and Vincent Burkholder, Floyd Christenson, Kevin and Derek Friess, Todd Chamney and two great grandsons - Travis Nelson and Clayton Burkholder.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kindness, especially for the love and care Mom received while living at Long Term, and for all the cards, phone calls, flowers, food, donations and masses in memory of Mom.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Marianne Friess may be made to St. JosephÕs Long-term Care or a charity of your own choice.