Frank Charles Bales

Frank was born on the family farm near Carstairs, Alberta on May 14, 1931 and passed away peacefully March 7, 2022 at the age of 90.

Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife of 66 years Gathel, children Beth Carroll, Beverely Hall and Keith Jesso (Misty Belyk, Madison Hall and Taija Olszewski), Heather and Jim Riel (Jocelyn and Bradley Metcalfe), Brain Bales and Mary Wile (Amy and Craig Martin, Ron Cameron, David Bales and Amanda Hewitt, Matthew and Jessica Bales), Marjorie and Michael Massini (Kayla Massini and Nick James, Carole, Nicholas Massini and Brooke Buxton), John Bales, 13 great grandchildren (Mason, Ethan, Clarke, Aaden, Raehlianna, Layla, Barrett, Sienna, Brooklyn, Jakob, Liam, Olive, Kash, 1 sister and brother-in-law Irene and Bob Rowntree and numerous nieces, nephews, their families and other extended family members.

Frank was predeceased by his parents (Charles and Maude Bales), 1 sister (Helen Shingleton / Bales), 1 daughter-in-law (Laura Bales), 1 son-in-law (Ron Willett), 2 nieces (Joyce Shingleton and Kelly Lee Kiersgaard), 2 nephews (Wayne Phillips and Russell Kiersgaard) and all his in-laws including Hans S. and Gathel Kiersgaard, Elsie and Ken Phillips, Hazel and Harry Tronnes, Fred and Florence Kiersgaard, Irene and Don Bennett, Hans R. Kiersgaard and John and Ethel Kiersgaard.

Frank was born and raised on the family farm southwest of Carstairs. In grade 9 he left school to help out on the farm. At the age of 17 he attended Chicago Vocational Training School in Edmonton. After a 2 1/2 year apprenticeship under Bob Spillman, he received his Welder First Class in Electric and Certificate in Gas Welding. In 1951 Frank went on to work for Standard Gravel until 1955. In the spring of 1956, he married the love of his life, Gathel Kiersgaard on March 2. In the winter of 1956 /57 Frank designed and built the first Nodwell Track Truck for Esso Resources at Bruce Nodwell’s. He then returned to the family farm in the spring of 1957 to work full time on the farm and raise his family.  In 1973 the family farm was sold and Frank moved his wife and 6 children into Carstairs where he resided until 2013. Once moving to town, he put his welding talents to good use by opening up Bales Welding & Repair for 36 years. He retired in 2009 due to failing health reasons.

Frank always enjoyed a good card game, horseshoes with his brother-in-law, hunting, fishing, camping, and travelling. Frank and Gathel travelled on church missions to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Brazil and Israel, as well as across Canada dipping their toes in both oceans and several trips to B.C. and the USA.  He was also very involved in his community serving 27 years with the Boy Scouts of Canada, 25 years with the Loyal Order of Moose, 30 years with the Carstairs and District Community Chest, 20 years helping cater and serve Christmas Dinner, 40 years in various rolls in the Carstairs Church of God and was an original member of the Carstairs Crime Watch.

A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the Carstairs Church of God, 315 – 10 Ave N, Carstairs, Alberta. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Salvation Army, The Mustard Seed or any charity of your choice.