Earl (Erland) Henry Friesen was born on June 6, 1942, in Imperial, Nebraska, to Henry A. and Elizabeth Friesen. Following high school, Earl moved to Southern California where he served in the Army Reserves for seven years. In his mid-twenties, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and attended Granada Heights Friends Church in La Mirada, California, where he met Mary Anne Epperly. They were married March 5, 1971. In 1975 he graduated from Azusa Pacific University with his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and was licensed in July. After working at Family Ministries as executive director, he entered into private practice for the remainder of his career, where his passion for teaching Biblical principles, specifically using Internal Family Systems (IFS) in his work, helped strengthen relationships and resolve conflict. In 1991, Earl and his family moved to Colorado Springs, where he was in private practice until June 2023, when health issues forced his retirement.
Earl leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Anne; children: Mark, Melissa Joy Flack (Ryan), Tawny; five grandchildren: Noah, Evan, and Elijah Flack, Skyla and Abby; and three siblings. Earl passed away November 2, 2024, from bone marrow cancer.
His Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 pm on November 15, 2024, at Fellowship of the Rockies, 1625 S. 8th Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905, with reception following. He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.
Earl leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion for his family, friends, and the Lord. Earl had a heart for missions and the family requests that donations be made to Fellowship of the Rockies – Missions.
Jim and Vee Sullivan
6 Nov 2024Mary Anne and family,
Jim and I are so sorry for the loss of your husband Earl. Sincerely hope in this time of grief you will remember the good times, the loving times that he spent with you and your family. Joyfully we have that assurance that we will all be together again one day . Our prayers are with you all.
Gay H Mayles
8 Nov 2024Dear Mary Anne and family,
Brian and I are so sad for the loss of your precious husband, father and grandfather. Please know we are praying for peace, comfort and strength for you all in the coming days. May God be with you all. Brian and Gay Hope Mayles
Debbie Steele Gennaro
8 Nov 2024Marianne and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Earl was so kind to me years ago when he saw me. He was caring and gentle and showed Gods love. I am seeing on here that he was that kind and caring to many others- you were blessed to have such a good husband and dad. Again, I want to extend my condolences to all.
Hugs and love,
Cousin Debbie Steele Gennaro and family (Mike, Jordan, Alexandra and Michaela)
Katherine Steele
8 Nov 2024Dear Mary Anne,
Brad and I are so sorry for your loss.
Praying you will find comfort with the Lord during this difficult time, knowing we will all someday be reunited in Heaven.
Love,
Katherine
June Heimsoth
10 Nov 2024Mary Ann, sad to read of Earls passing. Blesssings to you and your family.
Paula Eberhardt
10 Nov 2024Dear Mary Anne and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Earl’s passing. He was a kind man and a loving husband. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in the coming days ahead.
Love,
Paula
Skyla Friesen
14 Nov 2024Dear grandma, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I love you very much!
Love,
Skyla