Cleta D. Blessing Friesen, 87, died Dec. 17, 2007, at Pleasant View Home, Inman.

She was born June 17, 1920, at Roxbury, the daughter of Willard and Edith May Lilly Blessing. In 1938, she graduated from Inman High School and attended Salt City Business College, Hutchinson. She was the co-owner of Ike's Food Market in Inman for 26 years and purchased the store in 1955.

She belonged to St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Inman, Women's Guild & Blue Bird Phidelas, both of Inman. She was a writer and a poet. She served several years as Women's Worship Leader at the church. She was a speaker at many area religious groups.

On Aug. 30, 1942, she married Ike Friesen at Inman. He died Nov. 4, 1993.

Survivors include: two sons, Randall Friesen and wife Sharon, Inman, Bradley Friesen and wife Sara, Wichita; a daughter, Joan Kornelson and husband John, Cheney; two sisters, Vernabell Sperling, Hutchinson, and Dorothy Clark, Hutchinson; eight grandchildren, Julie Richardson, Patrick Kornelson, Greg Friesen, Mark Friesen, Jared Friesen, Jennifer Kornelson, Micah Friesen and Elizabeth Friesen; and six great-grandchildren, Jera Richardson, Brogen Richardson, Brooks Richardson, Taelyn Friesen, Creighton Friesen and Ceeley Friesen.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Blessing; and two sisters, Evelyn Davenport & Madge Lackamp.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Inman. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in North Inman Cemetery, Inman, with Dr. James Nelson and Pastor Dan Dalke presiding. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude's Children Hospital or St. Peter's United Church of Christ.

Personal condolences may be sent to: www.elliottmortuary.com.