Deloris E. Friesen was born on March 19, 1940 in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Arnie D. and Martha M. (Thiessen) Balzer of Inman. She was the oldest of three children. She passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the age of 85 years.
She married LeRoy Friesen on September 1, 1962 in the Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Deloris and LeRoy lived in Buhler and were active in church activities. They would have celebrated 63 years together this year.
Deloris started grade school in Omaha and continued in Inman, then graduated from Central Kansas Bible Academy (CCS) Hutchinson in 1958. She continued studies at Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska.
She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and served in church faithfully especially enjoying playing piano, singing in choir and various small groups. She affected many lives with her talents, sense of humor, and interesting antics!
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Bradlee James Friesen in 2007; and a brother-in-law, Lloyd Yutzy.
She is survived by her husband, LeRoy of Buhler; surviving children: son, Ken and his wife Tammy of Manhattan, KS; daughter-in-law, Tiffany Friesen of Durham, NC, and daughter, Joni Hackett and her husband Lance of O’Fallon, MO; as well as eight grandchildren, Jamison (Sidney) Friesen, Manhattan, KS, Tyler (Reggy) Friesen, Des Moines, IA, Alyssa Friesen, Manhattan, KS, Emma, Claire and Annie Friesen, Durham, NC, Sam and Brody Hackett, O’Fallon, MO; and two great-granddaughters, Paige and Amaia.
Also surviving are her siblings, Judy Yutzy and Loren (Jane) Balzer all of Buhler; and LeRoy’s siblings, Mel (Arlene) Friesen, Nebraska, Jeanie (Don) Williams, Nebraska, and Neva (Marlin) Chaussee, South Dakota.
Deloris faithfully followed Christ and loved her family, as well as her church. The family will remember her as a delightful, caring and fun mother and grandmother.
Private family graveside services will be held at Buhler Municipal Cemetery. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2025 at Buhler MB Church. Services can be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/BuhlerMBChurch/ Memorial contributions may be made to Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Gentiva Hospice, or Samaritan’s Purse, in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.