Elizabeth Friesen

1942 - 2018

Elizabeth Friesen

Sept. 3, 1942 - March 9, 2018

GOSHEN - Elizabeth Maria Csik, 75, was born in Szekesfehervar, Hungary September 3, 1942 during World War II to Julius and Helen Csik. She died at home on March 9, 2018 in Goshen, Indiana. Along with an older sister and parents, they escaped Hungary, traveling by foot and hitching rides to arrive in Germany months later. Their life in Germany continued for 5 years living in a Displaced Persons Camp (refugee camp) until they were given permission to immigrate to the United States in 1950. The family made their home in South Bend, IN. She graduated from Washington High School in South Bend and lived in South Bend until getting married. Her husband was in the Navy, so for the next 20 years they were stationed in several different countries. It was while they were stationed in Japan that Tammy joined the family. During their years in Europe, they would annually take Tammy out of school and travel for a month visiting the highlights of Europe, and do home schooling in the van and in motels in the evenings. Among the countries she enjoyed most were Japan, Italy, Iceland, and Germany. After the years of traveling around the world she settled in South Bend, Indiana, where she worked a variety of jobs in medical facilities and Partners Insurance Company.

In 2005 she married Mel Friesen of Goshen where they made their home. She became a member of Eighth Street Mennonite Church and developed a deep appreciation for the congregation and its leadership. She was an excellent seamstress and a homemaker with exceptional home decoration skills, and was always concerned that people had enough to eat. She enjoyed traveling, often going with Mel on his business trips. One of her favorite vacations was their annual Canadian fishing trip. Oh, how she loved to tell the story of the 44 inch pike she caught, then, with a twinkling eye, boast that it was larger than any fish Mel ever caught.

She is survived by her husband; two sisters, Violet (Barney) Jalinsky of South Bend, IN and Judith (Marty) Levin of Portland, OR; and a brother, Steve (Teresa) Csik of Boise, ID. The Friesens have three children, Tammy (Scott) Reuben of Cedar City, Utah, Jeremy (Jenny) Friesen of Goshen, and CJ - Christopher, (Miriam) Friesen of St. Paul, MN; eight grandchildren, Lelana Asbrand, Aidan, Savannah, Ainsley and Phillip Friesen, Eliana Spitler, Sierra Thomas and Jake Rueben; great-grandchildren, Michael Montero and Kaylana Kavanaugh, and numerous nieces and nephews. She cherished the relationship with stepchildren, Gen (Mike) Babbit of South Bend and Terry (June) Bensley of Carmel, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Dan Zakrowski and Bud (Marion) Bensley; and stepson, Bruce Bensley.

Visitation will be held at Eighth St. Mennonite Church, 602 S. Eighth St., Goshen, on Friday, March 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, with a Memorial Service at Eighth Street Mennonite Church on Saturday, March 17, at 10:00 am, Pastors Julia Gingrich and Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gift contributions be designated for either Eighth St. Mennonite Church or MCC for Immigrant Advocacy.

Liz was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to so many people. She was an inspiration to many. Liz had a special spot in her heart for children. She was a persistent survivor of multiple cancers, surgeries, an amputation, and significant pain in her recent years. She felt very blessed by the many family, friends, and church acquaintances who offered her a cup-of-support that kept running over.

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.