Obituaries

April 13, 1949 - September 14, 2026

Francis lived at Sturgeon Lake all his life. At age 77, he passed away at the Valleyview Continuing Care Center on September 14, 2026, at noon.

Francis and Bernadette met in 1976 and married in 1983. He was in Charles Cansel Hospital for 2 years. When he returned, he went to Sturgeon and was sent to the SL Residential School. When the residential school closed, he went to St. Stephen’s School and Hillside School. Eventually he took Business Administration at Fairview College. In 1980, he went to Grouard College to challenge the journeyman carpenter certificate in one year, and he succeeded.

While he was in school, he did summer student employment with the Sturgeon Lake Band. He was encouraged by his Grandma Nancy to get involved with the band. At this time, he became interested in politics. As Grandma Nancy said, “it will be a way to better help our community.”

Francis was a Councilor for a few years, and a Chief for a term and a half. Francis worked at Western Cree Tribal Council as the Tech Services Director for 16 years, before retiring in 2016.

Francis loved listening to music, hunting, trapping, and working on fixing his vehicles, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Francis is survived by his wife Bernadette, daughters Renee and Tamara, sons Grant, Brandon, Jonathan and Leon. Grandchildren Chantal, Wayde, Clarita, Keayra, Keagan, Clark, Meghan, Christian, Kohl, Watson and Charliegh Girl. He is also survived by siblings Melvin (Mavis), Dennis (Linda), Ernestine (Arnold), Lawrence, Rod (Janie), Valerie and Hilda, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Francis was predeceased by his dad Johnny Goodswimmer, mom Marie, sisters Marcia and Denise, grandpa Vital Larocque, grandma Caroline, grandpa Louis Goodswimmer, grandma Nancy, and great grandson Indigo.

A wake will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 4 pm at the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Community Hall, with a Funeral Service to be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 1 pm at the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Community Hall.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 bcfh.ca