Obituary of Frank Collins

Frank Collins, resident of Beaverlodge, AB, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in Beaverlodge, AB, at the age of 91 years.

 

Frank was born on February 7, 1933, during a snowstorm in Arcola, Saskatchewan to Jack and Gladys Collins. When he was a year and a half, his dad decided they needed to head to Alberta, so Frank and his mom travelled on their own via train (Jack followed shortly afterward) making their way to Rio Grande, AB. They joined Glady’s brothers on their homestead. In 1945, after his brother Howard was born, they moved to the Shorty Chamberlain land, which they later named the Silvertip Ranch which still remains in the family.

 

Growing up, Frank attended the Caribou and later the Beaverbrook schools. He was in charge of lighting the wood stove each morning and had to ride by horseback, opening several gates, fording the river, and avoiding a vicious massive boar pig to get there. Once he completed grade eight, he joined the workforce initially being employed at the Alde Sawmill, followed by the Research Station, and finally, Foster’s Seed and Feed where he was obviously content because he remained there for 43 years until his retirement. Along the way, he juggled a full-time job and farming with Howard on the land in Rio Grande.

 

During those early working years, in 1958, Frank married Marie Cage. Together they raised their family providing them with positive role models and a cohesive and happy home. Frank’s fun-loving nature was very evident as he played and interacted with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His eyes lit up every time he saw them.

 

Work was one of Frank’s hobbies. He loved to pick rocks, much to his family’s dismay as they didn’t find it nearly as enjoyable. He would entice them with a picnic, but the majority of the day was spent in the field before the wiener roast could happen. He loved to keep busy shovelling snow, often helping out his neighbors even well into his 80’s. Gardening was also a passion. Many of the family reaped the benefits of his labours. This last summer he could still be found out in the patch - he might be sitting or even laying down, but he was out there taking care of business. Hunting and trapping were times well spent for Frank. He loved to be outdoors on foot as a kid and later on his “power toboggan” as he called it, slowly putting down the cutlines setting and checking the traps on the Jones trapline. He and William, and later the boys, spent countless hours out at Stinking Springs enjoying nature. He may have been slightly annoyed with his sons when they would blast down the trail cutting it up and making it rough to ride on.

 

Two Lakes was one of his favourite places. Many a family camping holiday happened there with endless fishing and some hiking. Frank was a no-nonsense kind of guy, if you got a fishhook stuck in your hand, as the story goes, he would just cut it out.

 

It was important to listen very carefully to Frank as he didn’t necessarily talk a lot, but what he said was often insightful and funny. Throughout his life, he demonstrated his great sense of humour, which remained until the very end.

 

Frank will be greatly missed by Marie, his wife of 66 years; children, Gary (Mandy) Collins, Rick (Marilyn) Collins, Gordon (Gina) Collins, Robert (Candice) Collins, and Jo Anne (Brian) Pavlis; as well as 13 Grandchildren, 11 Great-grandchildren; brother Howard (Marlene) Collins; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

 

The family would like to express their gratitude for the fantastic care he received from the many homecare workers during the last few years as well as Dr. Duta, Dr. Presley, and the Beaverlodge Hospital staff.

 

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Frank Collins, please visit our Tree Store