By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Phyllis G. Friesen
December 9, 2017
Phyllis Friesen

Sis…a friend, a cousin, a niece, a gram, a mom, a sister, a wife.  It is with heavy and broken hearts that we sadly announce the passing of Phyllis Gayle Friesen on Saturday evening, December 9, 2017. 
   Phyllis was born and raised in Modesto, California. She moved to Lathrop, CA when she married her husband, Jacob Lee Friesen. Phyllis and Jake were married for 56 years and raised two children, Lisa and Lee. After the passing of her parents, Phyllis brought her teenage brother, Robert Stanga, into her home to live with her family.
   Although Phyllis was called “Sis” by her brother and those closest to her, she was also mom to many who came to her for advice, mentoring, a good cry, or a great laugh from her wild and crazy stories.  Phyllis’ mission in life was to befriend others everywhere she traveled. She would go out of her way to make someone’s day with a kind word or deed. Phyllis was a peacemaker and would help people find common ground.  She often checked on others to see if they were happy and to remind them that choosing happiness is free! 
   Phyllis touched the lives of many through her 29 years of service with Manteca Unified School District.  She worked at various elementary school sites including Lathrop, Yosemite, New Haven, Neil Hafley, August Knodt, and Great Valley and she held many positions paraprofessional aide, librarian, clerk typist, attendance clerk, and office manager (school secretary). 
   Phyllis also touched many lives as an artist and loved being creative and using a variety of different mediums from drawing, painting, crocheting, knitting, Brazilian Embroidery, sewing, quilting, cake decorating, flower arranging, scrap-booking, cooking, and jewelry making. She was a founding member of the Manteca Quilters Guild, a Boy Scout den mother, and a hospice and band booster volunteer.
   For two years, Phyllis was President of DEARS, Dimensional Embroidery Artistic Rogue Stitchers and she had many roles in the BDEIG, Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery International Guild.  She was an excellent teacher and liaison for the BDEIG and a Judy Jensen award winner for her dedication to lovingly sharing dimensional embroidery with others.
   Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Betty Stanga.  She is survived by her husband Jacob L. Friesen, daughter Lisa and husband Bryan, son Lee and wife Nancy, brother Robert and wife Janice, and her six grandchildren - Lesley Logan Crowell and husband Bradley, Lacey Logan, Michael Logan, Cassandra Friesen, Jacob Friesen, and Shayla Friesen.
   In lieu of flowers, please send donations to support the making of quilts for various charities to Quilter’s Hollow, 8807 Thornton Road, Suite G, Stockton, CA 95209.
   A memorial service will be held to honor Phyllis on Saturday, December 23, 2017, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lathrop Grace Community Church, 850 J Street, Lathrop, CA 95330.

Lathrop
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, December 20, 2017