Albert G. Frank, 86

Albert George Frank left us on March 13, 2016, “for his heavenly home.” He suffered a stroke on March 11 and waited peacefully for two days “for God to open heaven’s gate.”

Albert was born Feb. 24, 1930, in Laurel to Phillip and Elizabeth (Reiter) Frank. He was the youngest of a family of eight, who have all gone on before him.

He started working for the Northern Pacific Railroad (NPRR) in his teen years and continued after high school graduation until he was drafted into the United States Air Force in 1952.

He spent four years in the service, and one of his tours of duty was to Pepperell Air Force Base, St. John’s, Newfoundland. While there, he met his lifelong partner, Pauline (Terry) Evans. They were married Jan. 29, 1956, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They had two daughters, Sherri Lynn and Pamela Jean.

After the Air Force, Albert returned to Laurel and again worked for NPRR for a few more years before entering the insurance business. The rest of his career was with State Farm Insurance in Billings.

He retired in 1991 and relocated to Lakeside, building a home on Flathead Lake. Al and Terry returned to Billings in the fall of 2015, residing at MorningStar Senior Living.

He is survived by his wife Terry, and his daughters Sherri and Bob Snedigar of Copper Center, Alaska, and Pam Roberts of Missoula. There are six grandchildren, Seth and Amy Snedigar, Jake Snedigar, Sarai and Josh Carter, Levi Roberts, Tali Snedigar and Eva Roberts. There are also special gifts of six great-grandchildren, Isaac, Caleb, Ellie, Rachel, Luke and precious Esther.

Albert was a great fisherman and taught many his secrets of the catch. He loved children and they adored him. Joining with other worshippers, he enjoyed singing and praising God. Albert was a generous man, giving to others in many ways. He had a special gift of talking with and encouraging people of all walks. Loving to travel, Albert and Terry were snowbirds after retirement, wintering in Arizona or Hawaii. Starting with a ‘49 Ford, Albert was passionate about cars, owning dozens of vehicles over the years. At 19 years of age, he paid cash for the first Harley Hyperglide motorcycle sold in Montana.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 21, at Smith Funeral Chapel West, 304 34th Street West, Billings, followed by interment at 1 p.m. at the Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery, Laurel, with military honors. A reception follows at MorningStar Senior Living, 4001 Bell Avenue, Billings.

Memorials can be sent to Lakeside Community Chapel, 283 Adams St. Lakeside, MT 59922, or to the charity of choice.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting smithfuneralchapels.com