Obituary of Frank R. Manning

Frank was born November 24, 1938 to Dennis and Phyllis Manning in Provost, Alberta. Frank peacefully passed away Friday, August 24, 2012 at the Provost Health Centre at the age of 73 years. Frank was the oldest son of the six siblings. He was named after his great uncle, grandfather, and a neighbor. Frank was raised on a farm; part of a close family with friends and relatives to fill the cast for a lifetime of memories. Memories that led to stories. Frank enjoyed telling stories of riding "ol red" to elementary school where reading, 'righting and 'rithmatic was the plan. As Frank grew to be a rancher he began work on the new Highway 13, then on to Lakevolds and water well drilling. It was the Bar 4T Ranch at Patricia that found Frank ranching in the Brooks area and building the skill set that could be brought back to Cairns; skills like calf roping and wild cow milking. "Weasel " and "Buckskin" were a part of so many great memories. Frank brought the "branding" back to the homestead like the beef rings and thrashing crews of yesteryear. This developed into the round up community he is now in the center of . Then to the family farm with some forays into custom fencing and farming to augment the career of a lifetime. He believed that "good fences make good neighbors", that "it mattered" and he was good at fencing. He also believed that communication was important like ranch-style sign language and grunts that could say volumes. A powerful man with the strength of character and a willingness to learn. He built a ranch central to a hub of family, friends and an influence that runs deep in all of us here. Frank mixed the love of the land that could show the wisdom of manure, the challenge of a heifers birth, the straining of barley trying to ripen before frost, all with a gamblers courage to roll on one more year…In the background we all remember the rattling of a spur rowel on the steps. He had us all convinced that he could fix anything, forecast any weather, plan all the cycles of life, death, birth and the farm. Frank also could be angry and let it all out (he didn't let it build up), he could also be humble and reserved and, like it or not, he often said he was right. When he didn't say much it simply meant that what was said was going to count. Jokes, humor, games and cards made the after hours memorable. Grandkids remember microwave popcorn, root beer floats and ketchup chips. Frank will be lovingly remembered by his wife, of 53 years, Darlene; children, Sidney (Jolayne), Wade (Sylvia), Lee (Doug) Watt; grandchildren, Martine, Shannelle, Cassie, Wacey, Veronica, Braydon; siblings, Gwen Whitworth, Pat Goddard, David, Lyle, Leslie Manning and their families; as well as many other extended relatives and friends. Frank was predeceased by his son Bruce and parents Dennis and Phyllis.