The death of Mr. Frank Gerhard Raab of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK, (and formerly of St. Gregor, SK, and Humboldt, SK), occurred at his residence on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. He was 88 years of age and the last surviving member of his siblings. Frank, the 11th of 13 children, was born on June 27, 1923, to John and Mary (nee Sageter-Bogner) Raab at home on their farm five miles north of St. Gregor. He grew up there and attended Harvest Rural School. After taking three years of classes at St. Peter's College in Muenster, SK, Frank moved to Sudbury, ON, to work at International Nickel. Eventually, he returned home and, on January 15, 1943, he enlisted in the RCAF. Following basic training at Brandon, MB, Frank was stationed in Edmonton, AB, Fort Nelson, BC, Watson Lake, NWT, and finally Namao, AB. He was honorably discharged on October 2, 1946, and received a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. On November 20, 1946, Frank married Isabelle Dick in Edmonton. They began their life together in St. Gregor. Five children, four daughters and one son, were born to them. Frank became Postmaster in 1947, a position he held for the next 41 years. He also served as secretary-treasurer for the Village of St. Gregor for 35 years. As well, Frank shipped livestock for 10 years and operated the water treatment plant for 13 years. Isabelle was his devoted assistant in all those positions. Frank retired in 1988, and he and Isabelle moved into a home they purchased in Humboldt. Over the years, they enjoyed hunting, golfing, fishing, playing cards and, especially, taking trips to Edmonton to visit their daughters, son, grandchildren and Isabelle's mother. Although Frank was usually a serious person, he did have a mischievous side which loved to tease and pull pranks. On March 7, 2011, Frank and Isabelle moved to Evergreen Country Home in LeRoy and, on April 20th, 2011, they relocated to Bethany Pioneer Village, where they continued to reside. It had been with great pride that Frank and Isabelle celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1996 and their 65th Wedding Anniversary in 2011. Frank will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 65 years, Isabelle (nee Dick) Raab of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake; their four children and nine grandchildren: Keith (Patricia) Raab of Edmonton, AB, and family, Jason, Jeff and Ken; Yvonne (Martin) Bley of Humboldt and family, Kimberly (Harvey) Kiedrowski, Blair (Nadine) Bley, and Sheldon (Angela) Bley; Jackie Raab of Edmonton, AB; and Charlene Raab of Humboldt and daughter Samantha; son-in-law, Edward Kaminski of Cherhill, AB, and family, Shawn and Morley; 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Charles Jacobsen of Iron, Minnesota; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one daughter, Diana Kaminski; one granddaughter, Adrienne Bley; parents, John and Mary (nee Sageter-Bogner) Raab; and by all 12 of his siblings: Joe (Elizabeth) Raab, Leo (Johanna) Raab, Louis (Frances) Raab, John (Hilda) Raab, Henry Raab, Martin (Rose) Raab, Andrew Raab, Mary MacDonald, Christine (George) Gasperlin, Sr. Mercedes Raab, OSU, Catherine Raab and Martha Jacobsen. The Prayer Service for Frank was held at St. Gregory R.C. Church, St. Gregor, on Sunday, March 18, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., led by Glenn Taphorn and Della Thiemann. Scripture readers were Carson Bley and Nadine Bley; and the eulogy was delivered by Blair Bley. Music ministry was provided by Suzanne Taphorn and Vicki Zurburg. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Gregory R.C. Church on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Darryl Millette, Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB, and Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Crossbearer: Jason Kaminski; Altar Servers: Ben Plemel and Dave Zimmerman; Scripture readers: Nadine Bley and John Jacobsen; intentions: Nadine Bley; Giftbearers: Kim, Taylor and Dalton Kiedrowski and Remi Bley; Active pallbearers: Blair Bley, Harvey Kiedrowski, Shawn Kaminski, Sheldon Bley, Ken Kaminski-Raab and Morley Kaminski. Music ministry was provided by Doug Schmidt and Vicki Zurburg. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Frank's life." Interment followed at St. Gregory R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Gregory R.C. Cemetery Fund or Bethany Pioneer Village. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK
