DUCHSCHER, Frank Joseph

November 16, 1928 — May 20, 2025

Peacefully in the early evening of May 20, 2025, Frank Joseph Duchscher, at the great age of 96, entered eternal rest, ushered by the loving arms of those gone before him.

Frank was known to those around him as a sharp-shooting, thoughtful, and adventurous soul with the most wicked sense of humour.  He found himself in the love he shared with others, usually through a shared meal, an enthusiastically told story, or a road trip (typically including an ice cream). He was a deep well of knowledge, having a good answer for nearly any question you brought him. Frank was a practical skillsman who held a collection of secrets in everything from gardening to canning, to camping and fishing spots, all ready to be shared with anyone who asked nicely. His steady presence and reliability made him an easy friend to keep, whose door was always open with a greeting of “hullo Grandma”. He will be remembered through laughter, countless recipes shared, and bottomless determination.

Frank was born on November 16, 1928, into a world we can only imagine. He grew up in Scott, Saskatchewan, and was raised in a hardworking farming family. There he met and fell in love with his adored wife, Dorothy. The two married in their early 20s and tried their hands at farming before deciding on a different life for themselves. This new dream moved them to Calgary to build a life together. There, they started their family, adopting Patsy and Dan, while Frank made a name for himself in concrete, contributing to major bridge infrastructure in growing Calgary. Their beautiful home in Forest Lawn was known for throwing parties so good that even the local priest came. Frank and Dorothy boasted live music, great food, free cigarettes, and a job or a place to stay for anyone who needed it, within their growing community of family and friends.

After a brief move back to Saskatchewan, the family eventually settled in Kelowna, making it home. Frank started his cabinetry business in West Kelowna, sending hand-made cabinets throughout western North America, keeping himself busy through to retirement. Frank prided himself on his beautiful home wood shop and bountiful garden, where he grew award-winning tomatoes and canned much of what he grew. After slowly retiring, Frank and Dorothy lived a snowbird lifestyle, escaping the winters in favour of exploring Arizona.  Even while on vacation, Frank could not stay away from the gardens.  Sharing his harvesting tips with the Arizonian farmers in exchange for the spoils of lettuce to bring back to their friends in Yuma. He had never met a fruit tree he couldn’t harvest, a friend he couldn’t make, or a problem he couldn’t solve. His favourite pastimes put him in nature. Camping, walking, and travelling with his family in their motorhome, teaching his kids and grandkids to appreciate the wild world around them.

His final years were spent cooking for everyone he could, namely his wonderful neighbors affectionately called Terry and Terrie Binns. His famed orange cake, a favourite of friends and family, and “Frank’s creamed chicken”, both enjoyed by six generations of loved ones—mashed potatoes with every meal, and sharing good German kitchen practices passed down from his parents and grandparents.  Frank will be known as an incredible card player, cleaning up in cribbage against his brother Joe every Tuesday,  and for having the sweetest tooth of anyone you’ve ever known, except for his coffee, which was salty.

Frank moves on to join his beloved wife Dorothy, daughter Patsy, and son-in-law Douglas all waiting for him in the afterlife. Also there to receive him are his parents, Lawrence and Frances, sisters Mary (Cliff) and Gertrude (Jim), and brother Balzar (Georgina), who all left this realm before him.

Left to carry on his legacy are his brother Joseph & sister-in-law Marilyn; son Dan & daughter-in-law Carol; grandchildren; Buffy (Arnold), Frances (Geoff), Steven (Holly), Larry (Emily); great-grandchildren, Mariah (Ethan), Diana, Grayson, Phaedra, Nevaeh, Taliah, Zophiah, Lily, Gabriellah, and Jasper; his great-great-grandchildren Sophia and Charlie; as well as countless dear nieces and nephews and many friends and neighbours in Rutland.

A Memorial Service in Frank’s honour will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:00 am, located at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, with Kim Bergstrom officiating. A reception to follow will be held in the Springfield Funeral Home Family Centre. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be available via Livestream, with a recording accessible within 3–5 days.

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