Rev. Lucille Mary Starnes Friesen was born on March 23, 1920 in Pomeroy, Washington and went to be with the Lord on December 29, 2018. Lucille was born to Louis Allen Starnes and Ethel Mary Hawes Starnes. The family moved to Sunnyside, WA where she lived until entering Northwest Bible Institute (now Northwest University) in 1939.  While at NBI, Lucille met John Friesen; they fell in love, and were married after graduation on July 1, 1942. They pastured churches in Bucoda and Morton Washington, then John served as assistant pastor at Kelso, Washington First Assembly.

In 1946 they were appointed by the Assemblies of God as missionaries. They studied French in Brussels, Belgium, then left for ministry in the former Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). While in Congo, Lucille taught Congolese boys and girls in day schools, taught in the Bible school, assisted in the mission leper camp and helped John in the printing ministry. They left under United Nations Escort during an uprising in 1961. At that time, they transferred to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to begin a literature outreach program. Under Lucille's leadership, the Tanzanian national women's ministries department produced the Missionette manual for the girls in four languages. In 1968 the Friesens transferred to Johannesburg, South Africa to open an office for the International Correspondence Institute (now Global University). They built a new ICI building and offered Bible lessons in 7 languages with 80,000 people enrolled in Bible study courses.

The Friesens retired from overseas ministry in July 1979 when John joined the pastoral staff of Kelso First Assembly of God. Lucille coordinated the Women's Ministries and taught the newlyweds Sunday school class until January, 1995. At that time they retired again and moved to Springfield, MO. John and Lucille were members of Central Assembly of God church and resided at Maranatha Village. They enjoyed an active retirement together until John passed away on January 12, 2006.

Lucille is survived by her three children and their families: Gwendolyn Foss of Portland OR, her husband, Charles, their two children, Charles, his wife Wendy and their children, Lillian and Charles, Gwendolyn Swarbrick, her husband Steven and their son Brandon; Lois Russell of Woodland WA, her husband Jim, and children Jenner and John; and Robert (Bob) Friesen of Springfield MO, his wife Sandy, and their three children; Rhyan, his wife Sarah and their daughters Sierra and Molly, Dustin, his wife Kara, and Natasha Costello, her husband Levi and their son Ari. Lucille loved her family and faithfully prayed for each family member.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents and an older brother who died shortly after birth.

In her honor, the family would like to assist the continuing ministry in Congo which Lucille loved so much. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the AGWM Africa Regional Office, 1445 Boonville Ave, Springfield MO, 65802, designated for Congo, account #4090841(60).