Amy Friesen Ward

April 25, 1961  -  July 31, 2021 

Amy Louise Friesen Ward died July 31, 2021, surrounded by her family after a brief but valiant battle with ovarian cancer, which she had previously beaten against the odds.

Amy was born April 25, 1961, in Tucson, Arizona, to Wanda (Bollinger) and Vernon Friesen. The family moved to McPherson, then to Manhattan, where she graduated from Manhattan High School. She graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, majoring in Speech and Drama, where she was the recipient of the coveted Thresher Award for Drama.

She married Eric Ward in 1993. They have two children, Kendra Lind (husband Eric Lind) of Topeka, and Josh Ward of Manhattan.

Amy was the librarian, drama teacher, and lunch lady at Flint Hills Christian School, Manhattan for many years. She was an active member of Living Word Church, where she previously served as part of the worship team. She was known for her joyous spirit and love for people, and brought smiles wherever she went, no matter her circumstances.

Her father preceded her in death, and she is survived by her mother, husband, both children, granddaughter Maddie, sister Janell Epp and her family in Hesston, and a brother Jeff Friesen, on the west coast.