Edwin "Ed" L. Friesen

Edwin Lee Friesen, 75, of Fairbury, Nebraska, passed away on September 29th, 2025, He was born on June 2, 1950, in Great Bend, Kansas, to his mother, Vernadine Nichols. This family of two would grow to 3 when she became Mrs. Dwaine Friesen in 1955. They would grow to 4 with the addition of his sister Sherre, and 5 with the addition of brother Doug. On July 16, 1971, he married Peggy Dianne Breeden, and together they were blessed with one son, Jake in 1975.

Early on, Ed developed a love for anything mechanical. It started small, building things to make life easier on the farm until his teenage years when his passion gained wheels. Whether it was motorcycles, cars, tractors, ATVs, snowmobiles or trucks, he made it his mission to make it look better, run better, go faster, or last longer. Ed went as far as hanging the wrenches in his shop at 5-year-old boy level so that Jake could reach them and bring him what he needed. This grew into a repair business that they shared, and Ed continued until his passing.

Ed loved his family. He loved going for drives with Peg, working or just hanging out in the shop with Jake, being Alicia’s calm airport taxi service when needed, and watching Micah play volleyball or basketball or run track. He also loved you even if you weren’t family and would spend hours visiting if you had the hours to spare.

Ed was passionate about many things, but nothing was more important to him than his faith in the One True God. You would find him on Sundays teaching young couples’ classes, leading music, serving and singing with a voice you might not have expected unless you heard it for yourself. The rest of the week, you would often find him with his Bible open or his head bowed, being the same, honest, God fearing, God honoring man that you saw on Sunday.

He is survived by his father Dwaine Friesen; loving wife, Peg; his son, Jake and his wife Alicia; his sister Sherre Whitton. He also leaves behind granddaughter Micah Friesen. Ed will also be fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother Vernadine Friesen; brother Doug Friesen, his wife Paula and infant son Connor; brother-in-law Don Whitton and several other beloved family members who passed before him.

Memorial Services will be Friday, October 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home Chapel in Fairbury. Burial will follow at the Steele City Cemetery.

The family will greet friends prior to the service, starting at 8:30 a.m., at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, donuts and coffee will be served.

Memorials are requested to the family’s choice, and may be mailed to Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, PO Box 15, Fairbury, Nebraska, 68352.

Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is entrusted with Ed’s arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com