NESTER – HUGH FRANCIS (FRANK) NESTER
October 18, 1921 – July 31, 2023
It is with heavy hearts we announce that Frank Nester peacefully passed away at Sunrise Gardens with family at his side on Monday July 31, 2023 at the the age of 101 years.
Dad was born October 18, 1921 at Cessford, the son of homesteaders Hugh and Evelyn Nester. He was the second oldest of 7 children. Hardship struck the family when in the middle of the depression dads father passed away when dad was only 11 years old. The depression made it hard for everyone, but especially challenging for a mother left widowed to raise seven young children. Dad, being the oldest boy in the family, took on the role of the man of the family. The responsibilities placed on his shoulders were huge and he ended up leaving school at the age of 12 in order to fulfill his role in the family. Dad was no stranger to hard work from a very young age and played a huge role in helping his mother and siblings make it through some very difficult and hard times. As he got old enough he enjoyed taking some time from work to enjoy his love for baseball, curling and all the local dances.
Dad married Phyllis Conners May 1, 1953 and they made their home on the Nester family homestead where together they raised 5 children. Family, neighbors and community were all very important to dad throughout his life. He loved the farming/ranching lifestyle and had a passion for horses. He enjoyed visiting with family and neighbors and a good game of cards, especially crib which he taught each of his kids and grandkids to play. He enjoyed reading and loved listening to the old time music. No matter how busy life was there was always time set aside for a camping holiday each summer and many evenings for picnics at a favorite fishing hole teaching each of us to fish.
He spent many days volunteering with the Pollockville Curling Club, Cessford Community Hall, Rural Electrification Association and anywhere he could lend a helping hand. Dad always had time to help others in need.
Dad and mom retired to Brooks in 1985. Dad could never sit still and was always there to offer a helping hand to support his kids with whatever projects and endeavors they took on. His community spirit drew him into the Brooks Kiwanis Club where he was very active in building the Kiwanis Campground in Brooks. Dad also became a very active addition to the Brooks and District Museum working endless hours for many years. He repaired old equipment and tractors and worked in the blacksmith shop which was furnished with equipment and tools that had once been owned and used by his father and later donated to the Brooks Museum. Dad helped make sure that the equipment and tractors were in tip top shape for every July 1st Canada Day Celebration for many years and would stoke up the fire and put on demonstrations in the Blacksmith Shop whenever called upon. When around he always made sure to be at the Dairy Queen for a coffee and visit with many friends he had made once moving to Brooks. He took up curling in the winters for quite a few years until he reached an age where he thought it to be safer to become a member of the Prairie Pioneers and take up floor curling. He and mom were both very active members in the club and made many new acquaintances and friends. He also tried his hand at golfing for a few years.
Retirement also allowed time for Dad and Mom to do some travelling to Eastern Canada, Alaska, Southwestern United States, Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand and closer to home took in a few of the accordian festivals at Kimberley.
Dad found new joy in his life with the addition of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
They were his pride and joy and they always brought a smile to his face and a twinkle in his eyes.
Dads life forever changed in the spring of 2012 when mom, his lifelong love and partner passed away after 58 years of marriage. He then moved to the lodge, then to Orchard Manor and then to Sunrise Gardens where he lived until his passing.
Dad is survived by his 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. His son Danny (Michele) and children Taylor and Koleton, son Les (Natalie) and children Kathleen (Logan) Scally , Curtis, daughter Evelyn (Darrel) Murray and children Jesse (Chantelle) and their children Adelyn and Corbin, Jamie (Ryan) Hauck and their daughter Jaida, son Blaine (Nancy) and their children Chad and Hillary, daughter Pat (Jason) Friesen and their children Amanda, Cordell and Cassidy. He is also survived by his brother Lou (Doreen), sister Louise and sister-in-law Lillian and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Hugh, mother Evelyn, wife Phyllis, brothers Jack and Don, sisters Marion (Ab) Schreifels, Christine (Ken) McKnight and brother in law Glen Berg.
The family would like to thank Dr. Fulton for his many, many years in dads life and upon Dr. Fultons retirement a special thanks to Dr. Coetzee who cared for dad until his passing. Also a special thanks to all the staff at Sunrise Gardens and to Kaitlyn and Amanda at Home Care.
As per dads wishes there will be no funeral service held. The family will be holding a private graveside service. If people wish memorial donations can be made to Stars.
