Phillip R. Friedeman

** 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. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.