Francisca (Fran) Matus, Regina. September 7, 1935 - July 30, 2016. With heavy, sad hearts, the family of Fran Matus announce her passing on July 30, 2016. Fran was born in Kelfield, SK on September 7, 1935, the fifth of ten children born to immigrants Albert and Maria (nee Ziola) Rogal from Poland. Fran and her siblings walked two and a half miles to attend grades one to eight at Rialto School, a one-room country school house. Polish was her first language, but Fran became fluent in English as well while attending school. The closest high school was seven miles away in Meadow Lake. As there were no school buses at the time, Fran worked for her room and board in Meadow Lake in order to attend high school. She graduated high school with highest honours, also excelling at sports and was a brilliant mathematician. After high school, Fran worked for the Royal Bank in Meadow Lake and then was transferred to work at their branch in Banff, AB. While in Banff, she was offered a position with the Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources. She eventually accepted a management position at the Calgary office of the Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources. In her twenties, Fran spent many hours exploring Alberta and the beautiful parks area in her black VW beetle which she kept in immaculate condition. During a vacation at Pine Lake, AB, Fran was introduced to water skiing by a young fellow named Dave. Fran and Dave (David James Matus) were married in 1961, lived in an apartment in Calgary briefly, then purchased their first house in Crossfield, AB. While at Crossfield, Fran commuted to her office job in Calgary. Fran continued to work after the birth of their first child, but left her position after the arrival of their second child in 1964. Shortly after the birth of their third child in 1966, Fran and Dave purchased a farm near Rossburn, MB. Farming and trucking would be the mainstay of their lives for the next several decades. Two more children arrived while they lived at Rossburn. They spent nearly 10 years raising cattle, horses, sheep and dogs at the Rossburn farm. Fran spent many hard hours, milking cows (the old way!), helping Dave make hay, breaking horses to ride and drive and raising their five children. Their Rossburn farm bordered on Riding Mountain National Park, thus was a beautiful wilderness area, full of wildlife and…mosquitos the size of helicopters. They sold the Rossburn place and in 1976 and moved to a farm near Yorkton, SK, where the family still has land. Fran had a love for horses and dogs (Border Collies in particular) and regardless of where she lived, these were always a part of her life. Of all of Fran's accomplishments, of her greatest pride and joy was her family. Fran's exemplary work ethics demonstrated in school remained throughout her life and her strong faith in God sustained her through difficult times. As a result of a progressive and debilitating illness, Fran spent her final years in long term care. On July 30, 2016, Dave lost his beautiful wife, his children their loving Mother and her siblings a wonderful sister. Although her family finds comfort in knowing she is now free from the ordeal of her illness, she is deeply missed and lives in our hearts. Fran was predeceased by her parents Albert and Maria, brothers Stanley (in infancy) and John, Uncles Paul, Joe and Louis Rogal and several aunts, uncles and cousins in Poland. She is survived by her husband Dave, daughters Shelly (Reg) Vik, Maria (Darryl) Shuttleworth and Johanna (Brad) Matus and sons Monte (Colleen) and Cody (Heidi) and ten grandchildren; Amber, Alexandra, Rebecca, Dylan, Kyle, Evan, Ethan, Kaylin, Dustin and Amelia. She is also survived by sisters Alice, Cecilia, Anne (Brian) Cox, Jean, Tillie (Dale) Bauman and brothers Peter and Tony, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held for Fran on August 7, 2016 at 11 am, at the Church of God, near Acme, AB. The family would like to thank the staff of the Bethany Care in Airdrie, AB for caring for Fran in her final years and their compassionate support during her last days. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful if a donation be made to the Bethany Care Society.
