Eugene Dale Friesen, 73, a resident of Harrisonburg, died on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

               Gene was born on November 21, 1950, in Henderson, Nebraska, and was the son of the late Herbert A Friesen and Estaline Friesen Quiring. He farmed in Nebraska until 2004, when he moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia. In Harrisonburg he founded, owned and operated Design Concrete Builders. This work brought him in contact with many people as he created outdoor living spaces together with his wife and sons in a family business. Many clients became his friends and he loved to hear and share the stories of the people he met. Over the years, Gene loved spending time with his family who were among his best friends. Spending time with his grandchildren provided him with special joy. He enjoyed history, family ski trips, music, and he was a lifelong Husker football fan and eventually became a JMU fan too. 

               On November 20, 1976, he married Phyllis Ann Peachey Friesen. Three months prior to their marriage, Gene lost his left leg above the knee in a farm accident.  He shocked everyone by walking down the aisle for the wedding less than a week after receiving his first prosthetic. This resilience, determination, and deep faith were hallmarks of his entire life. His marriage gave Gene much joy in life! Together, Phyllis and Gene raised three children and they enjoyed working and volunteering side by side. Whether farming or promoting the concrete business, they were always a team. He loved music which Phyllis often provided in the playing of piano and singing. They spent 30 years in prison ministry and he employed many people who needed a second chance. He was very committed to the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), especially the mobile meat canner project and the mission of providing help to people around the world who were not always in the news.

               Surviving is his wife, Phyllis, three children; Timothy Friesen and wife Karla of Harrisonburg, Larisa Friesen Hall and husband Desmond of Silver Spring, MD, Joseph Friesen and wife Lori of Harrisonburg; and grandchildren, Naomi Friesen, Noah Friesen, Elliana Friesen Hall, Anika Friesen Hall, Ruth Friesen, and Ezra Friesen.  He is also survived by one brother, Ivan, and three sisters Elaine, Carol and Wanda. 

               Pastors Owen Burkholder and Loren Swartzendruber will lead a memorial service on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Lindale Mennonite Church. The family will receive friends following the service with a fellowship meal.

               In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are invited to be made to Mennonite Central Committee Mobile Meat Canner www.mcc.org/donate or by mail to 21 South 12th St., Akron, PA 17501 designating "Meat Canning in memory of Eugene Friesen" OR Bread for the World www.bread.org/memorial or mail to 425 3rd St SW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20004, designating "in memory of Eugene Friesen."