Watch Frank's Memorial Mass

Frank John Jirik, age 88, formerly of Fisher, MN, passed away on December 4, 2020, in Boise, ID. He was born on October 9, 1932, to James and Mary (Stolka) Jirik in Mahnomen County, MN and grew up on the family farm east of Mahnomen. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Michael's Catholic Church and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1950.

Frank joined the Navy in November 1950 where he served for six years at various naval stations including: Great Lakes, IL; Norfolk, VA; Norman, OK; Pensacola, FL and the Minneapolis Naval Air Station. Following the Navy, he worked for the MN State Grain Inspection Department in St. Paul, followed by the USDA/Federal Grain Inspection Service in Grand Forks, ND. Along the way, he attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Frank married Marie Matiowsky in Menzie, Manitoba, Canada on June 20, 1959. They enjoyed living on a hobby farm outside of Fisher where they raised their five children. They also enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their South Twin Lake cabin. Frank and Marie moved to Rochester, MN in 2015 and then to Boise, ID in 2016 to be closer to their children.

Frank worked for the USDA/Federal Grain Inspection service for 29 years. After retiring in 1988, he worked for Pioneer Seed, MN Potato Inspection Department and finally Strata Corporation as an aggregate technician for seven years. Frank also was an inventor, holding five U.S. patents for grain inspection equipment.

Frank was a social guy with a generous heart. He loved family, hobby farming, construction projects, telling funny stories, waterskiing, bluegill fishing, old-time music and dancing with Marie. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed books about WWII history. Frank was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Fisher and served as Boy Scout Master to Fisher Troop 139.

He is preceded in death by infant son, Frank John Jirik, Jr.; brothers Ben and Albert; sisters, Josephine Kochmann, Julie Krautkremer, Frances Simon and Maryann Piechowski.

Frank is survived by his wife, Marie of Boise, ID; sons, Steven (Helen) of Boise, ID; Patrick (Kate) of Rochester, MN, and Ted of Moorhead, MN; daughters, Annmarie of Boise, ID, and Amy (Pat) Hagen of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren: Meghan, Tim, Ryan, Anna, Julie and Frank Jirik; sisters, Agnes (Delmar) Dobmeyer of W. St. Paul, MN; Vicki McGuire of Batavia, IL; sister-in-law, Martha Filipchuk of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen with at time of gathering one hour prior at the church.  Military Honors and inurnment will take place at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery.