Michael Eric Friesen

Obituary

Story teller. Pianist. Author. Trickster. Rolling Stones fan.

For some, one of the best friends of their life.

Michael Eric Friesen passed away Sept. 2, 2018. He was born Feb. 3, 1959, the second son (he would say second to none) of Karl and Betty Friesen.

Growing up in Newton, he passed the halls while acing exams at South Breeze Elementary, Chisholm Middle School and Newton High School. With more to learn, he earned an Associate Degree in Business from Brown Mackie College. After using it to gain a foothold in the corporate world, he then nourished his musical and creative writing while earning a Bachelor of Arts at Friends University.

He didn't need the university to make friends, though, as he had many. They came to him naturally. Responding to the news that he was gone, one told that "Mike is the true friend we all hope we have in our lives." Another said, "I will always remember him as one of the smartest, wisest, funniest, most charismatic people I have met and probably will ever meet."

Michael cruised through corporate positions effortlessly: Boeing, Koch, Sprint and more. He was a model for success; the title of one of his four books was "The Success Paradigm." He gave an overview of it at the MIT Sloan Business School, one of his crowning achievements.

One of, because of course, Michael's best achievements in his life, his source of joy and pride, were his children: Brooke, Anna and Andrew. They lifted his spirit. When his grandchildren (Mindzie, Scarlett and Raef) arrived, he just about floated away.

Thank you, Michael, for your tales tall and small, for your love of music, for your loyalty, for your pranks, for your love of life. Mostly, for your love. We will miss you dearly.

Michael is survived by Brooke and Brett Woodward, Scarlett and Raef; Anna Madsen and Mindzie; and Andrew Michael; brothers, Gregory, Russell and Darrin; sisters-in-law, Genevieve, Andrea and Linda; nephews and nieces: Gabrielle, Galen, Noah, Hannah, Sam, Sophie, Grant, John, Elise and Gretchen; and his loving mother, Betty. Finally, he is survived by his hope for the future, which is now for us to embrace and fulfill.

There will be a private scattering of ashes.

A Denver-area Remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.

A Newton-area Remembrance will be held in September 2019 to mark the anniversary of his departure. Details forthcoming.

RIP Michael Eric Friesen. See you soon.