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In memory of

Frank John Morawiecki

Winona, MN, USA

1951 - February 16, 2021

1951 - Feb 16, 2021

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Frank J. Morawiecki, Jr., of Winona, MN, passed away on February 16th after a valiant battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones.

Frank was born in 1951, in the East-end of Winona, MN. He was the first American-born child of Polish-Ukrainian immigrants, Frank and Lydia Morawiecki, who fled from Germany to the United States following World War II in 1949.

The Morawiecki family was sponsored by St. Stanislaus, where Frank attended elementary school and served as an altar boy in The Basilica. He was always so proud of being the star pitcher in the Championship little league game when he was 11 years old.

Frank (an East-End boy) met Nola (a West-End girl), and it was love at first sight. As they started dating, Frank would deliver Rocco's pizzas to her house on Sioux St after his shift. The high-school sweethearts eventually married in December of 1974, providing 47 years of happiness and harmony.

Frank graduated from Winona Senior High School, studied engineering at Winona State University, and attended Technical College.

Frank was a tremendous cook, a loving father, a wonderful husband, a patient grandfather, and a kind friend. He loved nature and spent much of his time outdoors gardening, golfing, harvesting trees for woodworking, or even hunting for morel mushrooms with Nola. His favorite spaces included Lake Winona and the many beautiful areas up and down the Mississippi riverbed.

Frank delighted in spending time on the golf course with Nola. He picked up the game after caddying as a young boy at the Winona Country Club. Later in life, he went on to play in many annual golf tournaments and scrambles with his friends, whom he loved.

He also spent much of his free time at "Frola," a beautiful piece of land Frank and Nola purchased many years ago. Over the past 20 years, Frank worked tirelessly with Nola to transform this extraordinary place. The land has since blossomed into a series of beautiful flowerbeds, bountiful gardens, and charming oak, walnut, and spruce tree groves. He renovated an old hunter's cabin into a beautiful new space enjoyed by family and even built two large greenhouses. Under the business name "Frank's Best Veggies," he provided an endless bounty of delicious produce for friends, family, food shelves, and many great chefs in the area.
 
He also inspired Nola to open her flower shop in 2004 and served as "the best CEO beyond belief," managing everything from being the faithful delivery boy to the diligent bookkeeper. He always made sure Nola had a delicious lunch to enjoy at the shop.

After spending 36 years at Benchmark Electronics (formerly EMD), he retired in 2014. Although he spent his career as an engineer, those who knew him well knew that Frank was a farmer (or scientist) at heart. An early adopter of technology, he loved embracing new gadgets and gizmos. Upon retiring, Frank took up the new hobbies of playing piano and practicing Tai Chi. He also loved reconnecting with his friends during their weekly "Coffee Clutch” at The Acoustic Cafe.

Frank had so many passions throughout his life. He found beauty in a simple life fulfilled with family, good food, and some laughter. Watching his children compete in soccer, hockey, baseball, and tennis also gave him tremendous joy. He was enormously supportive of his children's and grandchildren’s endeavors and so proud of their achievements in life. Family and friends adored his unforgettable homemade pizza and magical crepes. He also loved live music and a good pint of beer.

Frank was also athletic, running in numerous races and half-marathons with Nola. Frank also loved rowing and competed in several rowing competitions in Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL. He also loved practicing Tai chi at the Winona Friendship Center and cherished the many friendships made there.

Frank was simply the best. He always put others first and could talk to anyone about anything and often did. He allowed others to be themselves and was endlessly curious about the details in their interests and lives. Frank didn't judge others and didn't push his ideas onto others, but instead found the good in all.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nola (Fuglestad) Morawiecki; his daughter Myriah (Jim) Vargo; his son Alexander (Anna) Morawiecki; his son Nicholas (Olivia) Morawiecki. Frank adored his seven wonderful grandchildren Alana Vargo, Lilah Vargo, Caden Vargo, Rudy Morawiecki, Eloise Morawiecki and Mac Morawiecki. He is also survived by his sisters, Donna Strain, Carol (Mike) Hansen and Margie (Randy) Piechowski along with many nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents Frank Morawiecki Sr., Lydia Morawiecki, his brothers Chester, Todd, and his sisters Mary Hough and Patricia Vassar.

Due to COVID-19, a celebration of life memorial service is currently being planned for Summer 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be submitted using the following link below. Any donations will be put towards funding outdoor beautification projects in honor of Frank's life.

Donation link: https://everloved.com/life-of…

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