Florence Friesen

Florence Margaret (Peggy) Friesen (Driver), 92, of Rochester, NY, died in her sleep on October 13, 2024. Peggy was full of life and energy during her life. This energy was shared with everybody she came in contact with.

Peggy was born on November 3, 1931 to Roy Driver and Hannah Windett Driver in Quenemo Kansas. Peggy was part of a large family (8 siblings) working a farm in Quenemo and Pomona. In 1949 Peggy graduated from high school and moved to the big city of Topeka Kansas seeking out a career and family of her own. Peggy enrolled in Clark’s business school to learn accounting and bookkeeping. This is where she met her future husband Robert Friesen. They were married on December 31, 1949. They lived together for over 71 years only separating at the end when health reasons called for different care.

Peggy and Robert were very frugal building their first home in Topeka, KS on Wanamaker Road over the course of several years. The first section resembled a one bedroom studio apartment. During the next year they added a section making it a three bedroom house with two baths and no basement. The next year added a porch and a two car garage. In 1974 they sold this house and moved to 16 acres on NW 43rd street north of Topeka. They lived in a mobile home while building a new three bedroom ranch and a workshop for Robert. Peggy and Robert built a third home about 15 years later on the same property.

Throughout her life Peggy enjoyed playing cards such as bridge, pinochle, pitch and hearts. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, crochet, needlepoint and knitting. She was always making something to share with others. Throughout her life she was amazing at sending greeting cards and letters to so many people. All of her nieces and nephews received birthday cards every year. In addition there was always a jigsaw puzzle setup in her house. I knew something had changed in her health when Peggy was not interested in puzzles in June 2024.

Peggy’s primary love was family. After giving birth to John (1952) and Steven (1956) Peggy and Robert took in Robert’s father to live with them. This gave her somebody else to care for. Later, Peggy would be instrumental in the care of her aunts Florence and Lucy followed by her mother Hannah when they moved to Topeka. She loved organizing family gatherings and playing with her grandchildren. This continued into gathering genealogy data with her sister Veda.

Peggy is predeceased by her parents and her siblings, James (Betty), William, John (Jessie), Donald (Dorothy), Joseph (Barbara), Richard (Ruth); her son John; and her daughter in law Lisa. Peggy is survived by her siblings Veda Driver Rogers and Howard (Jeanie) Driver; child, Steven; her four grandchildren, Melanie, Matthew, Jeffery and Brittney; great grandchild Oliver; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life next year in Topeks KS. Probably May or June 2025. Announcement will be done via Facebook and word of mouth. Come say hello and share your Peggy stories with others.