Frank Pekarna, 84
Frank J. Pekarna, 84, of Jordan, died Monday, April 29, 2013, at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee, with his family at his bedside.
Frank was born August 30, 1928, in the family home in Jordan, a son of Joseph and Rosanna (Friedel) Pekarna. Most of his childhood years were spent in Jordan. As a young boy, his love for the outdoors was established, where Frank enjoyed hunting and fishing. Attending St. John’s Catholic School, he went on to play football and baseball for Jordan High School and graduated in 1946. He went to college, but due to his father’s illness, he returned home to help run the family business, Pekarna’s Meat Market. Frank spent the rest of his life dedicated to serving the community with fresh meats and other delicacies. Frank married Celina Hartman, aka “Skirt,” on August 7, 1950, at St. Benedict Catholic Church. As a family, they spent countless hours at the family cabin in Grand Rapids. After retirement, Frank and Cele loved to travel, and for many years they wintered in Arizona. In later years, they enjoyed “date day” every Monday. Frank was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing with his family and friends. In his spare time, he was the family historian. The greatest passion in his life was his family. An icon of the Jordan community, Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Aid, Jordan Fire Department, Jaycees, Lions Club, Commercial Club, and a Senior Ambassador. He was a member of St. John’s Church and participated in the choir, cemetery board, and restoration committee, and received the Catholic Family of the Year and Distinguished Graduate Award.
He is survived by children Sandy Pekarna, Shakopee, Erin Lorenz, Inver Grove Heights, Dan (Tracie) Pekarna, Jordan, John (Merna) Pekarna, Jordan, Ken (Sherry) Pekarna, Jordan, Mike (Sue) Pekarna, Chanhassen, Gregg (Terri) Pekarna, Jordan, and Anne (Keith) Wolf, Jordan; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings Dr. Joe (Ellie) Pekarna, Jordan, Mary Jo (Bill) Gilmore, Savage, Sue Bruins, Savage, Margaret “Mugs” Pekarna, Edina; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and brother-in-law Ralph Bruins.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 6, at 11 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, with Rev. Timothy Yanta and Rev. Francis Roach officiating.
Interment is at St. John’s Calvary Cemetery in Jordan. Pallbearers will be sons, Dan, John, Ken, Mike, Gregg and son-in-law Keith Wolf. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Joe Pekarna, Dr. Paul Stahler Sr., Ralph Wolf, Roger Dubbe, Cal Brown, Fr. Francis Roach, Cy Wolf, Roger Hartman and Frank Kipp.
Visitation is Sunday from 2 until 8 p.m., at Ballard- Sunder Funeral Home in Jordan, and one and one-half hour prior to the mass at the church on Monday.
Memorials are preferred.
