General Information
Full Name: Frank Pekarna
Date of Birth: August 30, 1928
Date of Death: April 29, 2013
Frank’s life story
Frank J. Pekarna
On Thursday, August 30, 1928 in the family home in Jordan, Frank Joseph was born to parents Joseph and Rosanna (Friedel) Pekarna. Most of Frank’s childhood years were spent growing up 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 later graduated in 1946.
Furthering his education, Frank went college, but due to his father’s illness, he needed to return home and 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 various other delicacies. Even after retiring, he could be found stopping by making sure the boys were making him proud of the family name.
While attending a dance at the Spring Lake Pavilion, Frank met the love of his life, Celina Hartman, aka “Skirt”. Their love grew and on August 7, 1950 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Frank and Cele exchanged their wedding vows. They were blessed with eight children, Sandy, Erin, Dan, John, Ken, Mike, Gregg and Anne.
As a family, they spent countless hours at the family cabin in Grand Rapids. Especially after retirement, Frank and Cele loved to travel. They took many trips to Europe and above all Germany being their favorite destination. For many years, they wintered in Arizona and treasured their time with family and friends there. In later years, Frank and Cele enjoyed “date day” every Monday, with special stops to Sam’s Club, Aldi’s, Fleet Farm and dinner at the Culver’s.
Most importantly, Frank took great pleasure in enjoying the simple things of life and had a variety of interests. He was an avid outdoors man. Frank loved hunting and fishing with his family and friends. In his spare time, Frank was the family’s historian and loved telling the family history and stories of his life.
The greatest passion in his life was his family and treasured the time he spent with them whether it was taking care of his parents in their later years, watching his children and grandchildren at their sporting and school events. After the death of Cele, Frank reinvented himself and took on both roles of grandparents and parent. He lived life with one simple philosophy – always pay it forward.
An icon of the Jordan community, Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Aid, Jordan Fire Department, Jaycee’s, Lions Club, Commercial Club and a Senior Ambassador. A faithful servant of the Lord, he was a member of St. John’s Church and participated in the choir, cemetery board, restoration committee and received the Catholic Family of the Year and Distinguished Graduate Award.
Frank was also a dedicated, caring, and proud family man. He was a man of few words, with a humble personality. The mid morning of Monday, April 29, 2013, Frank entered eternal rest at the age of 84, with his loving family present at his bedside at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee.
Frank will be sincerely missed and remembered always by those who loved him, especially his children, Sandy Pekarna of Shakopee, Erin Lorenz of Inver Grove Heights, Dan (Tracie) Pekarna of Jordan, John (Merna) Pekarna of Jordan, Ken (Sherry) Pekarna of Jordan, Mike (Sue) Pekarna of Chanhassen, Gregg (Terri) Pekarna of Jordan, Anne (Keith) Wolf of Jordan; 17 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brother, Dr. Joe (Ellie) Pekarna of Jordan; sisters, Mary Jo (Bill) Gilmore of Savage, Sue Bruins of Savage, Margaret “Mugs” Pekarna of Edina; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Preceded in death by his loving wife, Cele; parents, Joe and Rosanna and brother-in-law, Ralph Bruins.
Pall bearers for Frank 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, Father Francis Roach, Cy Wolf, Roger Hartman and Frank Kipp.
The visitation will be on Sunday, May 5, from 2-8 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 104 West First Street, Jordan and one and one-half hour prior to the mass at the church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, May 6 at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 210 North Broadway, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta and Father Francis Roach will preside. Frank will be laid to rest at St. John’s Calvary Cemetery in Jordan. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Frank’s memory by the family.
The Pekarna family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jordan Chapel.
Visitation
When: Sunday, May 5, 2013, 2 till 8 PM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First St. W., Jordan, MN
There also will be visitation at the church on Monday from 9:30 till 11:00
Service Information
When: Monday, May 6, 2013, 11:00 AM
Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Address: 313 East Second Street, Jordan, MN
Interment
Calvary Cemetery, Jordan, MN
