Obituary of Eugene "Gene" Roy Friesen

Eugene Roy Friesen, age 78, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas.

Gene was born on December 28, 1938 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He was the third of four children born to Benjamin and Isabel (Witter) Friesen.  He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri.  He graduated from Paseo High School with the class of 1956.  Following high school Gene attended trade school in Kansas City, Missouri.  He then began his lifelong career as an automotive mechanic in Kansas City.   Gene loved cars from an early age in life.  One fateful day a particular car caught his eye, but it was a girl in that car who eventually captured Gene’s heart.  He was united in marriage to Shari Lee Wilson on May 1, 1959, at Garnett, Kansas.  They first made their home in Kansas City until choosing Garnett to raise their son and for Gene to pursue his career as a mechanic.  In 1966 he started Gene’s Automotive Service in Garnett, Kansas.  Gene closed his shop and retired in 2013.  Gene served as a faithful member of the Garnett Volunteer Fire Department for many years, serving as fire chief for six years.  He was a member of the Garnett Jaycees and served two years as the president of the Kansas Chapter of the Automotive Service Association.  Gene loved to travel; Hawaii and Branson were two of his favorite locations. 

He was preceded in death by his father in 1970 and his mother in 1999; infant sister, Delores Mae Friesen; sister, Beverly Joan Bouck in 2014; and his brother, Douglas R. Friesen in 2002.

Gene is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shari of the home; son, Dan Friesen and wife, Kathy (Christy) of Olathe, Kansas; two grandchildren, Richard Friesen and wife, Nicole of Olathe, Kansas, and Randall Friesen and wife, Brianne of Shawnee, Kansas; three great-granddaughters, Jessica, Sylvia and Rylee; and one sister, Carol Cook of Bedford, Virginia.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Garnett, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery.  The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church.  Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.