Frank Kostohris

Frank W. Kostohris, age 88 of Pisek, ND passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the First Care Health Center of Park River. Frank Wenceslaus Kostohris was born August 5, 1926 in Rushford Township of Walsh County, ND to James F. and Elizabeth (Votava) Kostohris. He grew up and attended school completing the 8th grade in Pisek, ND. He continued his education by reading and kept learning his entire life. He lived and worked on the family farm 2 ½ miles south of Park River and took over the farming operation from his parents in 1956. Farming for Frank was a true calling from God. He told people that he was a caretaker of the land which was entrusted to him by God and would be held accountable for the way he took care of the land. He started farming at 14 with a team of horses and later on made the transition to tractors and was a true John Deere man and even though he retired he kept up on the current farming practices. In the off season Frank kept busy by helping the John Deere equipment dealerships in Park River and worked for three different owners; Meaghers, Wilds, and Oppegards, setting up equipment. After his retirement he worked for area farmers helping with spring planting and fall harvest and also for Don Greicar Excavating operating a backhoe. Frank also had a great gift and love of carpentry which came naturally as his ancestors in Czechoslovakia were master craftsman. After Frank retired he built himself a workshop and started making many types of wooden crafts and giving them away as gifts to family and friends. Frank also had a great love of music and played his button accordion and sang Czech songs with family and friends and is one of the last surviving members of the Czech Valley Singers. He was a member of the church choir from age 16 until his stroke at age 72. The stroke left Frank unable to swallow and in turn he had to give up singing and being a church lector, but realized that he still had lessons to teach others. Frank married Mary Ann Kouba on April 10, 1961 in Veseleyville, ND. The couple made their home on the farm south of Park River. Frank was a kind and caring man who was always willing to lend a helping hand and believed that you should treat others as you would want them to treat you. Frank was deeply involved in his faith, first at St. John's Catholic Church in Pisek and served as a trustee, on the parish council and as a lector. At St. Mary's Catholic Church in Park River he served as a lector. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Workman Branch 28 of Pisek and served as its secretary for over 30 years. He also served as President of the ND State Council of the Catholic Workman until July of 1998. He served as supervisor of Rushford Township and was the assessor for many years. He served on the board as secretary & treasurer of the local Northwest Telephone Co. and also for the Pisek Community Hall Association. Frank also served as chairman of the Walsh County Crop Improvement Association and on the Board of Directors of the Park River Farmer's Elevator Co. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann, children: Ann Berg of Park River, ND, Mark (Karen) Kostohris of West St. Paul, MN, grandchildren: Samantha Berg of Park River, ND, Kimberly Berg of Grand Forks, ND, Ruth (Dan) Gladitsch of Buffalo, MN, Teresa, Katie, John, and Andrew Kostohris of West St. Paul, MN, and a great granddaughter Monica Gladitsch of Buffalo, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Agnes Jelinek, brother-in-law John Jelinek, sister-in-law LeeAnn Kouba and brother-in-law Ronald Kouba. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Park River. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery of Park River in the spring.