- Date Of Birth: October 20, 1923
- Date Of Death: April 16, 2021
- State: Arizona
Irene Lois Friesen was born October 20, 1923 to Henry and Marie Friesen in Salina, Kansas. She had two older brothers, Chester and Virgil. She grew up during the dust- bowl years in Southeastern Colorado, 30 miles from the nearest town. Her father, a graduate of Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, was a grade school teacher and then principal of a high school. He lost the job due to conflicts with Sabbath observance. He became a farmer raising wheat and cattle. Her mother was an RN who nursed in the local community, raised the 3 children and worked with her husband, farming. Irene’s family was very poor. She was raised with a strong belief in God, education, and hard work. Irene attended a one room elementary school several miles from home. The closest high school was in Holly, Colorado 30 miles from home. Her father rented a room from a elderly couple in town for her so she could attend high school. After high school Irene studied pre-nursing at Southwestern Jr. College (now Southwestern SDA University) in Keene, TX. After graduating she continued nursing education at the Boulder S.D.A. Sanitarium and Hospital receiving a RN degree. She met PFC William Farver while affiliating at the Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, Colorado. After a few weeks of dating Bill was shipped overseas to serve in WWII. Bill returned 2 ½ years later in January, 1946. He and Irene became engaged in April and married on June 2 in Boulder, Colorado. They were married 69 years and 5 months. The day after their marriage they traveled to Emmanuel Missionary College (Andrews University) where Irene completed her bachelor’s degree in Nursing Education. Bill and Irene graduated together in 1950. Irene’s 40 year nursing career was spent working in hospitals in Michigan, Georgia, and Florida. She was also the school nurse for Great Lakes Adventist Academy in Michigan and Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania. Besides nursing which Irene greatly enjoyed, she liked entertaining and could prepare delicious meals on a moments notice.
