Mass of Christian Burial for Francis "Frank" Kadlec, of Ipswich was at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Ipswich with Fr. Timothy Cone serving as Celebrant. Burial followed at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Francis James Kadlec was born to Joseph and Mary (Stulc) Kadlec on March 10, 1938, on the family farm in Loyalton, youngest of six children. Frank grew up on the family farm, went to country school and graduated from Ipswich High School in 1956. In 1959, Frank joined the Army Reserves and also held a job in Ipswich.
Frank met the love of his life, Carol Atanasu, in 1959 at Skate Land in Aberdeen. They married on November 29, 1962, at St. Mary's Church in Aberdeen. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year. Following their marriage, they made their home at the family farm by Loyalton. Frank and Carol had five children: Lynn, Jean, Kristie, Stephanie and Randy. All of the children helped out working in the fields and with the cows, pigs and chickens.
During Frank's years of farming, he preferred the "Ole M". He especially enjoyed having his son, Randy, by his side helping on the farm. Even though Frank worked long hours, when he came home from the field, he always had time to spend with his children and wife. You could find Frank working in his shop on tractors or on his beloved 55 Old Chevy. He also enjoyed working in his own wood shop making shelves and clocks for family and friends.
Frank always enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. They always looked forward to getting a ride from Grandpa on the four-wheeler or hitching a sled on the back and getting pulled through the snow. In the winter months, Frank always loved playing cards: whist or rummy. Somehow, he always seemed to be holding the winning hand. When you played cards, you could always count on snacking on peanuts with Grandpa.
After Frank retired from working on the farm, he was then able to spend more time with his wife Carol and with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frank and Carol moved to Ipswich in 2013 after they built their retirement home there. Although his heart never really left the farm, he would often go out and tinker around on the farm.
Frank was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, including receiving his Last Rites in the Faulkton Healthcare Center. He enjoyed helping at the church bazaar with the bingo game.
Frank passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the Faulkton Healthcare Center surrounded by his family at the age of 85.
Grateful for having shared in Frank's life is his loving wife, Carol; five children, Lynn (Curt) Job of Pierre, Jean (Lionel) Miller of Bancroft, Kristie (Les) Huettl of Mina, Stephanie (Jason) Kadlec of Ft. Worth, Tex. and Randy (Juva) Kadlec of Beresford; sister-in-law, Diana Metzger of Lead; brother-in-law, John (Lori) Atanasu of Aberdeen; 16 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary; his brothers, Louis, Benny and Lawrence; his sisters, Genny Nash and Lyddie Weber; brothers–in-law, Keith Nash, Leander Weber and Levi Metzger; and step-grandson Dawson Huettl.
Schriver Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kadlec family.
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