Frank Steffl
November 26, 2024
In Loving Memory
Frank Steffl
Frank Steffl passed away peacefully on November 26th, 2024, one week after
celebrating his 89th birthday, and joyously welcoming a great grandson the same day.
Frank, aka “Grumpy” was a loving and capable man, whose interesting life resulted in many talents. Born in Krummau, Sudetenland and relocated to Germany at the end of the Second World War, Frank spent his childhood in the “Old Country” and came to Canada in 1957.
Upon arrival Frank knew no English, and taught himself by going to the movie theatre, he particularly enjoyed romance and comedies. Frank loved to attend parties and missed the music and dances that were European tradition. He played saxophone, accordion and many other instruments.
Eventually he came to Kamloops, BC where he worked as a painter, bartender, and started a family. He was close with his Mother, Luisa, who moved to Canada and together they raised his loving daughter, Angela. In 1977 Frank met his life partner Leonie and after painting her house he really stuck around, becoming a big and beloved part of the Huser families lives for the rest of his days.
Frank was incredibly resourceful and always working. In his retirement he built his dream home in Celista, repurposing many salvaged building items into a grand home. He was an accomplished hunter, fisherman, cook and gardener and many fine meals were enjoyed at his table. When Frank wasn’t working, he could be found enjoying his sailboat or skiing at Harper Mountain.
Frank leaves a legacy of self-sufficiency with his children and grandchildren, sharing with them his knowledge and skills for fishing, hunting and sustainability. Grumpy was a caring Grandfather and could always be counted on, whether the grandkids needed a babysitter, a ride, or love advice. He had a big place in his heart for everyone’s favourite dog, a German hunting dog named Diana, aka Schnapsy.
Warm memories of Frank live on in his large and loving family, both Steffl and Huser sides. His Daughter Angela Steffl, granddaughters Megan and Anika Steffl, and great grandsons Jacob and Jackson. His life partner Leonie Huser, and Huser children Fred (Leanna), Simon (Angie), James (Andrea) and Michelle (Romano) Huser. Grandkids, Pierce and Roko Huser, Stephany, Sarah, and Koby Trinker, and great grandsons Arrow and Vashek.
Frank requested all his friends to gather and have a party rather than a formal ceremony, this will be announced in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Kamloops Hospice Society, or a charity of your choice.
If you have a favourite memory or story, we welcome you to share it with the family in the comments.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-554-2324
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 8
Frank touched so many in so many different ways. I am honoured I was able to spend time with him.
Fränk
Our brother in law is very much missed and we have lots of beautiful memories.
Besides being a special lovely human ,he was also the most talented Painter and decorator.
Rest in peace Fränk.
Helena and Peter
To Leonie, Angela and family,
Marian an I are very sad to hear about our buddy Frank. I met Frank a long time ago at Harper mountain when he always brought Angela to ski. I am so glad to had some time with him at the Jass tournament.
So rest in peace my friend.
Love to all of you.
Kurt and Marian
This is a most tragic time for myself and my family, Franz’s granddaughters Megan Katharina Kinney (33) and Annika Aloisia Steffl (29) and his two great-grandsons (Jacob Joseph Steffl-Laybolt (12) and Jackson Allen Kinney, 5). Further, he will be sorely missed by his cousins in Austria, Renate Schubhart and her family, Hans Huber and his family, Ingrid and Martin Rehn, also niece Karen Rehn from Sherwood and one 2nd cousin Chris Wagner son of Wulf and Heidrun Wagner (now deceased) and Ilona Johanny
Franz also has a step-son named Axel Pantelmann from his marriage to Waltraut Steffl. Franz’s mother Luise took care of both Axel and Angela while Franz pursued his work and life interests in Kamloops. Dad and I are very grateful to Oma for uprooting her life in Regensberg to care for us all those years.
Franz was certainly a Jack of All Trades and carried many passions and his immediate family members admired all that he created with his two hands, including the house he designed and built. He repeatedly told stories of how he was once able to carry sheets of plywood on his back up a hill by himself while building the house. In the early days of building the house, myself and my young girls often camped out with him in the unfinished house to keep him company and make him meals while he worked alone until the finishing stages of the house.
Franz was proud that his granddaughters Megan and Annika, and oldest great-grandson shared his passion for music as they too are instrumentally inclined, enjoy hunting, fishing and pursuing the arts. He shared artistic techniques whenever he was in our presence and in his last days, he and I hunted and butchered the deer meat together, rebuilt his washed-out driveway, cleaned up after the Wildfires in Shuswap and gardened together.
May dad rest in peace with his three siblings, Oma, Opa, Uncle Franz Steffl, Tante Kathy (Katharina), Tante Maria, Uncle Wulf Wagner, Uncle Franz Wagner and Hildegard Wagner, Uncle Peter and many others.
In loving memory,
Angela, Megan, Annika, Jacob and Jackson.
After our father passed away Frank came into our lives. Frank was a very patient, caring and selfless man. Frank became the father I was missing. He taught me so much and we enjoyed a lot of hunting and fishing together.
Thank you Frank, we will always miss you and remember you.
And thank you Angela for sharing your father with our family.
Frank is lovingly and vividly remembered in our hearts through all the wonderful memories and times we’ve shared. We feel honoured to have the great privilege to have had Frank in our lives. He taught us so much over the years ! We were always in awe of Frank’s skills and stamina, especially through the years he’s done renovations, no problem was ever too big or too small for Frank, he was always able to surprise us with his endless creativity, wide ranging skills, endurance, sensitivity and very sharp wit, which he was lucky to keep right to the end.
He truly was a jack of all trades with so many interests , even his cooking skills we came in pleasure of. The best cooked piece of salmon we ever had many, many years ago was cooked by Frank and as generous as he was, he even taught us how to do it.
He’s fondly remembered not only by us but also by our families. Frank’s been honoured as “ the bear hunter “ in one of my brother’s Swiss / German crime novels, so he is also fondly remembered by family Switzerland.
We think of Frank as his soul journeys home and all his loved ones, Leonie, Angela with family and the Huser’s, we keep you in our loving thoughts during this time of grieving 🕯️💫
We are sorry for your loss Angela and girls, we will remember Frank as a kind humble man.. may he RIP
Zoltan & Teresa Zsigmond
Frank was a man of great skill, wisdom, and dedication, whose hard-working spirit left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. Some of my fondest memories with Frank were out in the wilderness, hunting together at his secret hunting stand. Sharing that space with him felt like a privilege, as he filled the quiet moments with stories and lessons that went far beyond the hunt itself.
Frank also loved playing cards, especially Jass, which he approached with the intensity of a true competitor. Back in Kamloops, his sharp mind and quick wit made every game memorable, and his smirk was always contagious, even when he took the game very seriously.
Frank always found joy in his garden in Celista. It was a reflection of his patience, care, and love for creating something beautiful. Frank’s wisdom, humor, and strength will be deeply missed but never forgotten. May he rest in peace.