The community is remembering the life of John Friesen after the tragic plane crash February 9.

Jake Dyck notes he's worked with Friesen at Border View Electric for nearly 20 years, the last two years as a partner in the business.

"He was very dedicated to the work and his family life," Dyck says, noting Friesen is survived by his wife Eva and teenage son and daughter.

"He was a soft-spoken person, he would think things through before he spoke," he says, adding Friesen was often a sounding board for staff because of his experience.

Dyck received news of the fatal airplane crash early Friday morning last week.

"We were shocked," he says. "It was so unexpected."

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family," Dyck says, noting he recently spoke with Eva.

"I firmly believe she was being supported by prayer," he says. "She was very strong having to make all the funeral arrangements, and dealing with this hard reality."

He notes Paetkau and Friesen were on a business trip. They were returning to Winkler after taking off from Winnipeg when their plane went down.

The incident occurred about one mile East of Brunkild February 9.

The funeral for John Friesen will take place Friday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church.

Donations can also be made to a trust fund for Friesen's children Jennifer and Eric at any Access Credit Union branch.