OBITUARY - FRANK BEIER Frank Beier passed away peacefully in the Battleford Union Hospital on July 23, 2025 at the age of 96.
Frank was a real presence in our family and beloved by all. He was a long-standing member of the community contributing through his volunteer work. He was a dedicated high-school teacher for many years, and was often chatted up as his past students recognized him. While teaching he started a student outdoor venture and took a number of students into the wilderness every spring once they had mastered basic outdoor survival skills.
He was part of the establishment of Battlefords Judo Club over 50 years ago, which is still active today and recognized by provincial and national Judo associations for its excellence. A number of Black Belt judoka graduated the club and competed in the sport. He was very proud of volunteering with The ECLIPSE Program which, through judo and counselling, helped at-risk youth in five Living Sky Schools. The essence of judo is "to make good use of your strength ..and look to the mutual benefit of yourself and others" which was his mantra throughout his life. He won a gold medal in the 12 Open Master Athlete Judo Championship in Montreal in 2010.
He enjoyed all sorts of activities including cycling, cross-country skiing, skating, hockey, camping, canoeing, hiking and gardening. He was proud of his robustness and ability to take on any activity that suited him. He biked over the Rocky Mountains with his friend Dirk Koenig and competed in a number of loppets in the winter. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren alike. He participated in TaiChi, QiGong and Aikido. He loved playing chess and appreciated the strategies and form of a masterful attack. He was proud of his Austrian heritage and had stories of fleeing Europe before WWII and settling in the Goodsoil area of Saskatchewan.
Upon retirement he pledged to "learn something new" every year. He wrote some of his life stories, allowing his family a glimpse into pioneering life.
He enjoyed telling stories and playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved to tease and "get a rise" out of those who appreciated his dry sense of humour. He loved to debate and would pick either side of a discussion "just for fun".
He loved to dance and was an active part of the Club 70 and the Pioneer Club. Rita Peterson was his beloved dance partner and they enjoyed canoeing and fishing as well as a number of travel excursions over the last 12 years.
He enjoyed seeing and talking to family using video-chat every Sunday afternoon. We all joined in regaling him with stories about what had happened the week before. Dad’s face would light up when he would see a screen full of his family and wanted to hear from every single one of us.
He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley and his children Ivan, Wanda (George Jones), and Wendy (Darren Berar).
He is survived by his daughters; Lana Beier (Karl) and Veronica Beier, grandchildren; David (Rhiannon) Risidore, Laura Risidore, Elizabeth Beier (Michael), Zackery Jones, Rebecca BeierBerar (Zachary) and great-grandchildren; Logan & Madelyn Risidore, Mila Currie, Bodhi Patterson, Malikai Marcotte, and Wesley Beier-Berar.
The family wish to thank the nursing staff and doctors at the Battlefords Hospital for their kindness and care during Frank’s time there. It was much appreciated.
Frank did not want a memorial service, so the family is hosting a come and go luncheon at the North Battleford Legion hall on Saturday, August 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be a slideshow and video retrospective of Frank’s life and an open mike for anyone who would like to share. Family members look forward to meeting all of Dad’s friends and students and to your stories.
