Phillip R. Friedeman
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** A Celebration of Life for Phil Friedeman will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence. **
Phillip R. Friedeman, 85, current resident of Lawrence, Kansas, died on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, after a short stay in Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Presbyterian Manor. He was born on Nov. 5, 1937, in Great Bend, Kansas, the youngest of three brothers. As a child, Phil had polio. Though an initial setback, he challenged himself to overcome it and overcome he did. Phil attended school and graduated from his hometown before attending the University of Kansas. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in history. He married the love of his life, Patricia Hiss Friedeman, August 9, 1959, in Great Bend. They headed east as Phil was enrolled at Andover Newton Theological School of Newton, Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1963, later receiving a Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1976 from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
He began is service to Christ and parishioners in Andover, Ohio. Then moved back closer to home in Russell, Kansas. Other parishes included Newton, Iowa; Watertown, South Dakota; Topeka and Junction City, Kansas and Owosso, Michigan. After retiring from full-time ministry and education, he and Pat moved to Lawrence. A few years later he began a fulfilling and challenging new position with Warren-McElwain Mortuary administering to Families in Transition program. Another function in this role was facilitating Beyond Loss support groups for the bereaved. Phil also worked with Habitat for Humanity for several years in the Lawrence area.
Phil so loved the Lawrence community and the university. He truly glowed with enthusiasm as a member of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ. He cared deeply for people, his friendships new and long-lasting and to continually educate himself and others about the Christian faith and local and world events.
His blood ran crimson and blue for all things KU. His lifelong love for basketball was a defining character trait of teamwork and perseverance. He reluctantly did not renew his season tickets for the 2022-23 season because of growing mobility challenges.
Left to honor his life are sons P. Shawn Friedeman (Sheryl) and Thad R. Friedeman (Barbara), and sister-in-law Elizabeth Brower (Al), brother-in-law Elward J. Hiss and many Friedeman and Hiss nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lois Friedeman, brothers Jerry (sister-in-law Janis), Steven James Friedeman and his wife, Patricia Hiss Friedeman.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may send donations to the Phillip and Patricia Friedeman Endowed Fund in care of Plymouth Congregational Church to be used for the Wider Mission. These donations may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I had the privilege of working alongside Phil for almost 20 years with the Beyond Loss workshops. He was so dedicated to the workshops and to the participants. Over those years, I had many people stop me and write to us, to tell me/us how those workshops helped them cope with their grief from a loss.
As stated, Phil was dedicated and I believe that his faith was a “driver” for being prepared for each session. I valued his opinions (he had many) and his work ethic in always being prepared.
May he now rest in peace with his “Dear Pat”.
Phil and Pat were wonderful friends from Plymouth Church. I much appreciated a class he taught at the church where we discussed the Book of Awakening, by Mark Nepo. A book which I treasure and recommend to others. He went to lunch with our family, and invited members along with him to KU basketball games etc. We will surely miss him and his kindness, faithfulness, and humor. He truly must be in a good place with his dear Pat now. Hugs to friends and family at this time.
I was fortunate to attend one of Phil’s grief support groups after the death of my husband in 2004. It was a life changing experience for me and Phil was gracious enough to talk with me individually about pursuing a career helping others with grief. I thank Phil and h continue to facilitate groups in Lawrence to help others, just like he helped me 19 years ago. Phil was passionate about his work with grief and loss and those fortunate to participate in his groups, felt it. May he rest in peace and god bless his family and those impacted by his death.
I also attended one of Phil’s loss groups. He was an amazing leader. I think back on that time often.
Phil was a great uncle. And to say that he was a Jayhawks fan doesn’t scratch the surface. He was fanatically devoted. He loved attending KU and loved in his later years being able to live in the community.
He never watched a ref that he appreciated and communicated from time to time with Bill Self. Hard to know – but it is unlikely Self is in the Hall of Fame today without taking Uncle Phil’s advice. And he had plenty.
We disagreed on most things religious (I am in the ministry today, myself) and all things political. And still…a great uncle. I already miss him.
Just as Pat is missed at our KU Endowment retirees monthly luncheon, now Phil will be missed. Pat’s treats and quiet conversation along with her smile and Phil beside her. When she could no longer transport herself, Phil willingly drove her to the luncheons and actively participated in conversation. Politics to Religion and always with a thought for how the country could improve were his favorite topics at lunch.
Yes, you will be missed!
I attended one of Phil’s loss group sessions after my wife died in 2001. It was a very soul searching experience and one that helped me to get on with my life.
Phil and Pat have been friends since our days at Andover Newton Seminary. I remember many family times as our children grew up and celebrations of our August 9th anniversary together! My condolences to Thad and Barb and Shawn and Sheryl. Thinking of you as you are facing times without them!
Phil became friends when he served in Newton, Iowa. We were neighboring pastors. He and I teamed up to lead a weekend fast for world hunger. Phil led Jasper county (Newton) and I lead Poweshiek county (Grinnell). We secured several churches and their youth to participate. I “conned” two local radio personalities (KGRN, Grinnell} to join the fast as publicity. Phil and I had fun working together. We raised several thousand dollars for world hunger. We remained friends. My wife and I spent an evening with Pat and he in Waterloo, S.D. We exchanged Christmas letters every year. I looked forward to his robust letter with news of his KU and Plymouth church involvement. I give thanks for the life of Phil and Pat. May God comfort his family and friends. He was one of kind. I give thanks to God for his 85 years, one month, and 30 days that he lived. He and Pat are “rock’n” in the Eternal Church.
Phil became friends when he served in Newton, Iowa. We were neighboring pastors. He and I teamed up to lead a weekend fast for world hunger. Phil led Jasper county (Newton) and I lead Poweshiek county (Grinnell). We secured several churches and their youth to participate. I “conned” two local radio personalities (KGRN, Grinnell} to join the fast as publicity. Phil and I had fun working together. We raised several thousand dollars for world hunger. We remained friends. My wife and I spent an evening with Pat and he in Waterloo, S.D. We exchanged Christmas letters every year. I looked forward to his robust letter with news of his KU and Plymouth church involvement. He was one of kind. I give thanks to God for his 85 years, one month, and 30 days that he lived. He and Pat are “rock’n” the Eternal Church. May God comfort his family and friends.
Phil Friedeman had a genuinely caring and very determined way of winning people over, for which I’m deeply thankful. He facilitated the grief group that supported my father and me (and countless others over many years) after the loss of my mother. He also became a dear friend to both of us. I appreciated his ability to help people through some of the most difficult times in life, including what my father described as being “in a club no one wants to belong to.” He helped me understand the difference between grieving and mourning, and that “grief bursts” are a normal and positive part of loss. I will miss him greatly.