Frances Sangster

After 102 rich and fulfilling years, Minnie Frances Sangster passed away peacefully on the morning of August 16, 2025, at the Drumheller Health Centre, surrounded by her loving family.

Frances was born on July 21, 1923, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to Susie and Erwin Wengel. In her early childhood the family lived in Swift Current before moving to a farm near Stewart Valley. She and her brother Ernest attended a one-room schoolhouse, and she delighted in later sharing stories about walking a mile to school and playing baseball in the pasture beside it.

Frances completed high school in Stewart Valley and, following graduation, taught in a one-room country school for a year. Teaching was not her calling, however, and she moved to Regina where she completed a secretarial course and began working for Sask Power—a job she truly loved.

It was in Regina that she met her first husband, Bill Howe. They married in 1949 and raised three children together: Doug, Pat, and Dawn. The family eventually settled in Estevan, where Bill worked for Kendall Electric until his passing in 1963. Suddenly widowed, Frances had to learn to drive and return to full-time work at Kendall Electric to provide for her young family.

In 1966, fate intervened when Don Sangster, an old acquaintance from Stoughton, stopped into Kendall Electric for parts. The two reconnected, and on November 12, 1966, they were married, blending their families. Don, also widowed, brought five children—Jim, Don, Mary Jean, Tom, and Kathy—into the family. Together, Don and Frances purchased the local Lyric Theatre, where their children worked side by side: Tom and Doug ran the projectors, while Pat, Kathy, and Dawn managed concessions and ticket sales. Frances handled advertising and promotion, and also pitched in during shows. The theatre was a true family enterprise, and they all took great pride in working together.

During her children’s teenage years, Frances wore many hats—chauffeur to sporting events, 4-H sewing teacher, and the steady hand who kept a household of teenagers (and their many friends) in line.

As the children grew and left home, Frances embraced her lifelong love of art. She took classes and became an accomplished painter, while also exploring macramé, ceramics, paper tole, papier-mâché, calligraphy, photography, and picture framing. For many years, her grandchildren cherished the hand-painted ceramic ornaments she made for them at Christmas—a tradition that lives on in their homes and hearts. Her original paintings remain treasured pieces in the homes of her children and grandchildren.

In the early 1990s, Frances and a group of local friends formed what they fondly called The Stoughton Group of Seven. United by their shared love of art and adventure, they created murals, painted the town fire hydrants as various characters, painted community signs, including signs for a local laundromat and a bed-and-breakfast business. They could often be found collecting stones in nearby fields to transform into their whimsical “Little Rock City.”

Frances and Don also shared a love of the outdoors, enjoying countless camping and fishing trips. Their travels took them from coast to coast across Canada, into the U.S., and as far as Alaska. They were also enthusiastic sports fans, faithfully cheering on the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Blue Jays.

Frances later worked part-time at the local New Hope Pharmacy, a role she enjoyed for many years. When Don passed away in 1996, she once again showed resilience, continuing to travel and spend meaningful time with her family spread across four provinces.

In 2012, ready for another new chapter, Frances moved to Drumheller to be closer to her daughters. She first made her home at Maple Ridge Manor, where she continued her hobbies, particularly card making. Later, she moved to Sunshine Lodge, where she enjoyed music, friendships, and regular visits from her grandson. Her final years were spent at Hillview Lodge, where she remained independent, active, and full of life.

Frances was predeceased by her first husband Bill, her second husband Don, brother Ernest, sister-in-law Ruby, her sons Douglas and Jim, daughter-in-law Linda Sangster, son-in-law David Monuik and her grandson Jamie.

She leaves behind a proud legacy: six children, sixteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brother Leo (Shirley) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2026.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Sunshine Lodge and Hillview Lodge, where Frances was treated with love and dignity, and to the doctors and nurses at the Drumheller Health Centre for the exceptional care she received in her final days.

"In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the DRUMHELLER & DISTRICT SENIOR'S FOUNDATION (Activities Department), 698 - Sixth Avenue East, Drumheller, Alta., T0J 0Y5, PH. # 403 823 3290".