In Loving Memory of Dalton David Schrank

March 28, 1939 – January 23, 2026

Dalton David Schrank was born on March 28, 1939, in Climax, Saskatchewan, to Georgina Schrank and Robert Joseph Schrank. As a child, he moved with his family to Vancouver, where he built a life defined by integrity, loyalty, and deep devotion to family and friends.

While attending John Oliver High School, Dalton met the love of his life, Marjorie Delora Valkenburg. Friends since grades eight and nine, they married on July 16, 1960, beginning a partnership that spanned nearly 70 years. Together, they were inseparable—sharing life side by side, finding joy in the simplest of moments, and delighting in their shared love of 1950s music.

Dalton was fortunate to have many lifelong friendships, including, but not limited to, Mike and Adina O'Connor, Judy Sibbald, Jim and Eileen Smyth, Barb Sandover, Orville Jantzen, and his longtime buddy and neighbour, Steve—friendships that brought him joy, laughter, and steady companionship throughout his life.

He was predeceased by his middle sister, Loretta Tweddle, and is survived by his beloved older sister, Eleanor Stanbridge.

Dalton leaves behind his devoted children, Michael Robert Schrank and Lisa Marie Schrank, and was a proud and loving grandfather to Andee Marie Wallace, Hannah Bryan Roberts, Graydon Michael Schrank, and Taryn Elizabeth Schrank. In the final summer of his life, Dalton was blessed to meet his firstborn great-granddaughter, Charlotte Nora Wallace—a moment that brought a renewed sparkle to his eyes and immense joy to his heart.

Dalton worked many years with Simpsons-Sears before following his calling as a commercial fisherman. Known affectionately as "Salty Dalty," he earned the respect of the fishing community. His boat, the Lucky Lisa, and life on the water brought him great pride and fulfillment.

Dalton and Marjorie cherished their waterfront home in Sooke. When asked what they enjoyed most in life, they both answered simply: the view. They also spent more than 20 winters in San Felipe, Mexico, where Dalton enjoyed working on his Spanish and embracing a slower pace of life.

Dalton David Schrank passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered as a man of honesty, hard work, and quiet kindness. His legacy lives on through the family he adored, the friendships he nurtured, and the life he lived with humility and heart. Those who knew and loved him can picture him now—sitting around, having a laugh, just as he always did, with his longtime buddy and neighbour Steve Kendall.

The family extends their deepest thanks to Trillium Lodge in Parksville, where Dalton and Marjorie were together for the last seven months of his life and where he was treated with dignity and compassion.

A memorial service and celebration of Dalton's life will be announced at a later date.