Obituary of Frank Anton Lang

 

                                                                                                                           

To watch the recorded version of the service please click on this link:https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/132652184

                                                                                                                                                                   FRANK LANG

1935-2023

 

Frank Anton Lang (88) of Saskatoon SK, passed away peacefully on March 10th at Glengarda Hospice in Saskatoon. Frank was born on February 23, 1935 in Regina to Joseph and Mary Lang.

Frank is survived by his wife Patricia, son Kevin (Karen), and his grandsons, Everett (Sarah) from Kelowna and Ben, as well as his younger sister Irene from Regina. Frank was predeceased by his parents, brother John, sister Geraldine and daughter-in-law Melody. 

Frank attended his schooling in Regina. As a teenager, Frank helped deliver milk by horse and wagon.  In May of 1952 at age 17, Frank signed on for five years of service with the Royal Canadian Navy. He received three awards during this time for his peacekeeping service in the Korean waters; The United Nations Service Medal, a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal and a Korea Service Badge. He returned home in May 1957 for four months before returning for a second tour of duty from Sept. 1957 to Sept. 1962.

Upon returning from his second tour with the Navy, Frank worked in a variety of sales positions including Tobin Tractor, Wilger Industries and Norac.  Frank transferred to Saskatoon with Tobin Tractor in 1970. Frank’s sales jobs required him to spend many hours on the roads of western Canada. He was always happy to get home to his family and some home cooked meals.

In 1970 Frank met Patricia Muyres (nee Bone) and her young son Kevin, and they were married in 1972.  Frank was a natural at the role of fatherhood, and he spent many hours playing with and teaching Kevin.  Frank enjoyed hockey and spent ten years coaching Kevin and many of the other neighbourhood kids.

In 1992 Kevin married Melody Garrison, and in 1996 Frank became the very proud grandpa of Everett McKinley Lang. Melody passed away in 2000.

In 2004 Kevin married Karen Seidle and in 2005 Grandpa Frank was doubly blessed to gain a second grandson, Benjamin Joseph Lang.

Frank’s greatest joy after being a father was being a grandpa, fondly known as “Grumpy”, but he could never be described this way when he was with his two favourite boys.  Both Frank and Pat spent endless hours with the kids; babysitting, visiting, outings, special trips and watching their many varied activities. Frank was so proud of Everett and Ben. He always told his boys to “be good” and only at the very end did I understand that it meant much more than that they should behave, it meant they should be good in their hearts knowing that they were loved deeply.

Frank enjoyed puttering with odd jobs around home and the yard, and vehicle maintenance.  He was a jack of all trades and could help with plumbing, carpentry or whatever job you had.  He loved to garden growing delicious vegetables which he included in the many amazing meals he created for his family and friends.  He was famous for his schnitzel, pulled pork, barbeque ribs and excellent homemade wine.  He also kept two raspberry patches which he spent many hours picking and sharing with others. Frank and Pat enjoyed travelling and made over twenty trips to Mexico, three to Italy and many more destinations.

Frank was a fun-loving and generous man who will be missed deeply by his many friends and family. He could always be counted on for a joke and a good time, or to lend a helping hand with whatever needed to be done.  Frank was warm and welcoming to whoever showed up at his door and over the years Pat and Frank had many nieces and nephews live and enjoy visits with them.  The door was always open at their house and when you went for supper you never knew who else you might find sharing the meal, but you were always guaranteed a warm welcome and lots of laughs.

The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Glengarda Hospice and the Saskatoon Palliative Care Team for their outstanding care of Frank and all of our family during his last days. In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that any donations be made to Glengarda Hospice or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of life at Saskatoon Funeral Home, 338 4th Ave. N. on Friday, March 17 at 2:00.  You will find the link for online viewing of the service on this website. Please share your memories with us or send messages of condolence on the Tribute Wall link on the left side of this page.