Frank Christian Johner 1924 - 2015 Born on December 22, 1924, Frank Christian Johner passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Special Care Home, Estevan SK on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the age of 90 years.
Born on December 22, 1924, Frank Christian Johner passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Special Care Home, Estevan SK on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the age of 90 years.
He joins in eternal peace: his parents, Alice and Michael Johner, siblings, Anne Kirby (George), Martin Johner, Rose Ross (Bill), Tilly Symcox (Fred), Kay Zohner (Hugo), Bill Johner, and Louise Rasmussen; father and mother-in-law Joseph and Katherine Tarnes, sister-in-laws Pauline Peters, Bernice Bespflug, brother-in-laws John Bespflug, and Dennis Tarnes.
He will be remembered by: His loving wife of nearly 60 years, Anne (Tarnes) Johner of Estevan, SK.
Daughter, Anita Kjersem (Dave) of Estevan; grandchildren, John Cloke (Kristin) of Blackfalds, AB, Sierra Downing (Aaron) of Calgary, AB, Courtney Hromadiuk (Mike) of Fort McMurray, AB and great granddaughter Hannah Hromadiuk.
Daughter Cynthia Ritchie (Tim) of Saskatoon, SK; granddaughter Juliegh Clarke (Dave) of Saskatoon, great granddaughter Brooke Clarke, and granddaughter Michelle Ritchie of Saskatoon.
Daughter Denise Johner (Jerry Bens) of Regina, SK; granddaughter Alanna Bens (Thomas) of Regina, and grandson Porter Bens (Sara) of Regina.
Daughter Lorianne Edwards (Greg) of Edmonton, AB; grandson Hayden Edwards and granddaughter Bree Edwards of Edmonton.
Brothers, Robert Johner (Jeannette) and Donald Johner (Linda); brother-in-law Ralph Rasmussen, sister-in-law Louise Johner, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Joe and Jan Tarnes, Dorothy and Stanley Fornwald, Marjorie and Joe Heidinger, Albert and Bonna Tarnes, Richard and Betty Anne Tarnes, and Margaret and Dale Norris, Henry Peters, cousins & friends.
Frank was a farmer. He insisted on taking pride in any job and cared for the land that brought life and security. There was always an expectation to help a neighbour or friend in need. Without the benefit of parents that died far too young, Frank was left with a sense of duty that no teenager should have to bare. He had brothers to care for and sisters to “manage”.
A farmer’s life is complex; no formal education told Frank when to plant, what to risk, how to be patient, or when to work until your bones ached. Frank learned with the help of some close neighbours. He helped build a farm that he shared with his brother, Robert. This same farm is the conglomerate known today as Johner Farms grounded in the soil of SE 4-6-10.
Frank often talked about the lack of material things in the early days, but he always had a sense of pride when he held a bumper crop in his hands or witnessed the birth of a healthy calf.
As days went by and Frank thought he had aged beyond a point of marriage, Anne entered his life. She was the perfect farm wife and was his dream of a lady wearing a skirt and oxfords, bringing him lunch in the field. Anne brought Frank more . . . order to a farmhouse and eventually four daughters to fill that house. It was no secret that Frank would have enjoyed a boy to be at his side, but he taught his daughters the characteristics of a hard-working man, instead. He taught them to pick rocks, cultivate a field, haul grain and hay, garden, and wrangle cattle and after an hour of polka dance lessons, were always taken to church on Sunday to humble them and remain aware of their place in the community. Frank wanted the best for his children and grandchildren – never wanting them to do “without” but wanting them to learn how to work and to achieve their goals independently. He led by example; and they were expected to learn and follow.
There were a few obsessions that Frank allowed himself – John Deere equipment, trucks, Buicks, Lincolns, horse figurines, electronics, and practical joke items. He enjoyed his newspapers, lazy boy recliner and loved to dance. The family has many memories and photos of the legacy of dancing. Whether it was at a dance in Midale, or perhaps an impromptu heel kick-up on the kitchen floor – if the music called for it, he danced.
Frank was also a keeper of the legendary Johner Homemade Sausage recipe. Each fall, he collected the ingredients and made the sausage to perfection. He made sure the skill was taught to his son-in-laws.
Although there were many sides to Frank, he will be remembered, most importantly, as a beloved husband of nearly 60 years, a loving father, and a Christian.
Prayers for Frank were conducted by Doug Third on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:00pm in the chapel of Hall Funeral Services. A funeral mass for Frank was held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, St. John the Baptist R. C. Church at 10:30am with Rev. Thuy Nguyen officiating. A luncheon and video memorial was held in the church parish auditorium followed by interment at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan.
The family extends their gratitude to Frank’s pallbearers: Delton Koch, Randy Johner, Ken Johner, Chris Tarnes, Mark Tarnes, and Gerard Fornwald; mass readers Linda Johner, Susan Colbow, Tracy Johner, and Shauna Johnson, as well as Donna Winter for the Farmer’s Poem and Randy Johner for the Eulogy. The family is appreciative for hymns sung by Brad Johner and the church choir.
A distinctive thank you is required for those “special” care staff and nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital Special Care Home for their compassion and dedication - who cared by loving, dancing, singing, praying, and assisting Frank during his illness. Your kindness and support will never be forgotten.
The family was grateful for all the contributions of food for family, delivery of flowers, and kind words of sympathy through memorials and mass intentions. Also, thank you to the CWL who were responsible for the lunch.
Donations in memory of Frank may be made to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Special Care Home Residents’ Council, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A OH3 or the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home, 1201 Second Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0M1.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Dustin Hall and Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Family and friends are invited to sign the family’s online obituary at www.hallfuneralservices.ca.
