Francis Koziolek

Funeral services for Francis A Koziolek, age 81 will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013 at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland.  Father T. Hottinger will officiate.  Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in New Richland.  Military honors will be accorded by local servicemen's organization.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday May 24th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  

Francis died Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at St. John's Lutheran Home surrounded by his loving and supportive family.

Francis A Koziolek was born on October 4, 1931 in Freeborn County to Alex and Emily (Hassing) Koziolek.  Francis grew up a farmer's son in Freeborn County attending school in Freeborn.  He served his country in the United States Navy.  On August 3, 1957 Francis was united in marriage to Margaret Renchin  at Sacred Heart Church in Hayfield.  He worked as a hog and crop farmer for many years.  Francis was a member of Pork Producers, Knights of Columbus, Hartland Legion, 4-H (local and county), Milk Producers, Poet, FFA and Sunrich Grain.  He was also a member at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland.  Francis enjoyed visiting with family, being a grandfather, showing hogs, reading, watching TV,  volunteering for 4-H, Pork Producers,  the Legion, and golfing.  

Survivors include his wife Margaret (Renchin) Koziolek; daughters Ann (Geary) Cooper and  daughter Samantha, Joni (Randy) Hamson and their daughters Meghan and Jona, Mary (Scott) Owens and their children Marissa, Julia and Anthony, Brenda (Ron) Guappone and their children Adeline and Vinny, Frances (Chris) Michel and their sons Gregory, Trevor and Joshua; sisters Evelyn (Verle) Nickerson, Anita (Thomas) Wilharm and Rosemary (Dan) Heins; sisters-in-law Jenny Koziolek, Katie Koziolek, Theresa Kasper, Frances Blakestad, Sylvia (Vernon) Ginder, Alice Arnold, and Rosemary (Jerome) Besch; and many nieces and nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Jeremy Owens in infancy; brothers Leon Koziolek and Alex Koziolek Jr.; sister Jane (Don) Czerworka; sister in-law Dorthy (Bob) Virnig; brothers in-law  Jim Kasper, Roger Blakestad, Roger Engen, David (Allen) Renchin, Kenny Arnold.


Francis was a true stewardship of the land and animals.  Farming was his hobby and profession.  He maintained a dairy herd until destroyed by fire in 1971.  The hobby of showing hogs at fair grew into a business.  Feeder pigs were raised to market weight and sold at local markets.  New farmers methods were his interest and used within his farming days.

The family would like to say an extra special thanks to the Albert Lea Dialysis team and St. John's Lutheran Home.  Memorials preferred to All Saints Catholic Church or the Polycystic Kidney Foundation.