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Mary Etta Rizer Friesen passed away at Spirit Mountain Hospice in Cody on Nov. 5, 2024.
Mary, the daughter of Russel and Harriet Maxine Rizer, was born on Oct. 24, 1952 in Kearney, Nebraska. She grew up in Kearney and attended Kearney State College.
Mary and Lynn Friesen were married in her home town on May 29, 1976. Lynn’s teaching Principal career took them to many communitites including Newton, Kansas, several communities in Nebraska including Kearney, Taylor, Mead, Nebraska City, Gothenburg and Holdrege, Laramie, Wyoming, Windsor, Colorado and Powell.
Mary was a homemaker who loved to entertain, do cross stitch and attend Bible studies. She especially enjoyed hosting the Chadron State College women’s golf team, and international college students. Many will remember Mary as a person with a very giving heart and one who always had a positive attitude. Throughout her years with MS, she learned to adapt and conquer the world with the help of her loving husband, Lynn, of 48 years. Her love of her grandchildren was her greatest joy in life.
Mary is survived by her husband, Lynn, her daughter Kami (Thomas) Scott of Powell, and her brother, Alan (Norma) Rizer of Lake Placid, Florida, and two grandchildren Treyston and Alexis Scott. Her brother-in-law Jerry (Carol) Friesen and sister-in-law Jeanne (Dick) McClemens also survive Mary.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Maxine and Russel, and her in-laws, Roland and Amy Friesen and many relatives.
Services for Mary will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Hope Lutheran Church in Powell beginning at 10 am. It will be livestreamed.
Memorials in Mary’s name may be sent to Hope Lutheran Church, Big Horn Enterprises (a nonprofit that helps adult individuals with developmental disabilities) or Powell EMTs.
Live Stream at: https://www.facebook.com/events/3750655961915869/.
