Obituary of Franz Sehn

Born in Romania to German parents on March 1, 1941 (it was a good day), Franz moved to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1957 with his two older brothers, grandparents, and mother. He quickly adapted to life in Canada and went on to learn the trade of stone masonry from his older
brother Peter, who was both a mentor and a lifelong inspiration to his work. Franz became known for his skill and dedication, becoming one of the best in his field.

After leaving Winnipeg to escape the cold, Franz made his home in Calgary and eventually settled in Fort Steele, B.C., where he restored a heritage house, making it his home until his passing. He became well known for his craftsmanship, particularly his work creating Inukshuks. His perfectionism and strong work ethic were legendary—he would never settle for or even utter the words "good enough."
Franz was deeply connected to the mountains which were “his church” as he used to say. An avid outdoorsman, he knew every hiking trail in the area like the back of his hand. His passion for finding “yellow pebbles” brought him great joy, and he often spoke of the thrill of
discovering gold, or what he called a “jewelry box”.

Franz was a generous and kind-hearted man, always willing to lend a hand to friends in need. He had an unshakable sense of gratitude and would always end a favour received with a sincere, "thanks for caring." Known affectionately as “Coyote” by his close friends or “Dirty Dingus”, as he would call himself, Franz’s caring nature and warm friendship will be deeply missed. He became a valued member of the staff at Fort Steele Resort, where his energy and work ethic were unmatched, often outworking those half his age.

Franz was predeceased by his wife, Delnora Sehn, and his two older brothers. He leaves behind many dear friends who considered him family, and whose lives were enriched by his friendship. He passed away at 83 years old on November 15, 2024, at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook BC, after a peaceful night’s rest. Those close to him would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nursing staff at EK Regional Hospital for their compassionate care given to Franz.