Obituary of Frank Anton Schwengler

December 3, 1933 – Beiseker, Alberta

January 27, 2022 - Carstairs, Alberta

Frank Schwengler, beloved husband of Jean, of Beiseker, AB, passed away peacefully and surrounded with love, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 88 years old.

Frank was born at home on the family farm near Beiseker and resided in that area his entire life. Frank farmed southeast of Beiseker until his early fifties when he married Jean and moved into town where they opened several businesses. He started to rebuild batteries to save the local farmers and businessmen a bit of money, it became so successful that him and Jean bought the old Beiseker Motors building, with a gas station and auto maintenance garage, specializing in batteries and tires. Some of the best times of Frank’s life were spent around the coffee table at the Beiseker Battery Barn with his numerous friends. In his final months he loved to reminisce about these times and all the shenanigans that happened there. Frank and Jeans’ successful business venture led to the opening of the Beiseker Video Barn, Beiseker Car Wash and Laundromat, and then his retirement hobby turned into his final business venture, Franks Custom Golf. He made his final set of custom golf clubs last year for Iris Balson.

Frank could build and fix anything. His skills started as a kid, building many whiskey stills for the moonshiners. Frank built tractor cabs, garden tractors, cultivators, and all kinds of farm equipment. He built the first dual wheeled tractor in the area and even a tote-goat minibike. Frank’s accomplishments in life were remarkable. He served as the Deputy Mayor of Irricana and was instrumental in paving the town roads. He was a 4H leader for several years, delegated for the United Grain Growers, and was on the board for the Beiseker Medical Committee. Frank was a member of the Irricana Lions Club, the Beiseker Lions Club, Acme Elks Club, the Acme Legion, and Pioneer Acres near Irricana. He was heavily involved with and devoted to his community. Frank was an essential hand in bringing in, building, and maintaining the Beiseker Driving Range, the Beiseker Demolition Derby, and Irricana Horse Pulls in.

Frank was quite a character and loved to have a good time surrounded by his friends. His laugh was infectious, and he liked to do it a lot. He hated to miss his morning and afternoon coffee with his buddies. He was always up to something and was even known to participate in the odd ballet or hula dance productions, as well as a handful of mock weddings where he usually played the ‘mother of the bride’. Frank and Jean often traveled to several music festivals and rodeos, and they wintered in Arizona for thirty-two years. The lockdowns really affected Frank as he was very social, which lead him to go viral on Facebook for promoting the support of small businesses. Frank was loved by so many. He was a kind, generous man whose word was his bond. If he said he would do it, you had no doubt he would. He made fast friends with everyone he met and always gave people the time of day. Frank loved getting to know people and sincerely wanted everyone to succeed in their dreams. The staff at the Carstairs Chinook Winds Lodge only knew him for a few months and adored him immediately. They even commented that they had never seen so many visitors and support for a resident before.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his two sons and two daughters-in-law, Murray and Sharon of Bowden, AB, and Ron and Mary Anne of Irricana, AB; three stepdaughters and three stepsons-in-law, Corinne and Derryl of Airdrie, AB, Tracy and Lyle of Acme, AB, and Michelle and Herb of Carstairs, AB; as well as ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (2 Avenue, Beiseker AB) on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

A Private Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Schwengler’s service streamed live here on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

A Public Reception will be held at the Beiseker Community Centre (410 5 Street, Beiseker, AB) on Friday, February 4, 2022, at approximately 1:00 p.m. where a light lunch and refreshments will be served. Bring your favorite memories and feel free to tell us a story or two. Frank’s favorite thing to do was reminisce about all the good times he had; it would be so fitting to share them as we say goodbye to this one-of-a-kind, remarkable man.

We are extremely thankful for the constant outpour of messages, texts, and phone calls that the family has received since his terminal diagnoses in August of 2021. It is truly heartwarming. Our family would also like to thank the incredible staff at the Chinook Winds Lodge in Carstairs, AB, as well as Jessica Howden and Peggy Andrews for their private overnight palliative care. Every single one of you showed kindness, compassion, and truly went above and beyond caring for Frank to make sure he was comfortable and loved until the end. We can’t say enough to express our gratitude. Frank is finally at peace, knowing how truly loved he was, and that his life was completely and utterly lived to the fullest.

In living memory of Frank Schwengler, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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