FrankE "Big Frank" KRAKOWSKI

20 AUG 1938 - 13 JUN 2016

• BIRTH: 20 AUG 1938, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 13 JUN 2016, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 23 NOV 1974, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N514] Frank E. Krakowski
Aug. 20, 1938 - June 13, 2016
SOUTH BEND - Frank E. Krakowski, 77, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Frank was born on August 20, 1938, in South Bend, to the late Frank and Margaret (Heyde) Krakowski. On November 23, 1974, (just twelve weeks after meeting on a blind date), he married the love of his life, Mary Beth Mosher, who survives. He is also survived by his two daughters, Kimberly Krakowski, Jill (Brian) Freehauf, both of South Bend; and his son, Frank E., Jr. (Melissa) Krakowski of South Bend. Frank was so proud of his children and the parents they became, he loved his grandbabies: Nathan Thompson, Nicole Thompson, Ayla Krakowski, Thea Krakowski, Elsa Krakowski, Lauren Freehauf and Lucas Freehauf. Frank also is survived by one sister, Judy Ciesiolka of Michigan. Frank was an independent insurance agent and owned the Krakowski Insurance Agency at two locations in South Bend - at Sample and Mayflower and on Western Avenue. In 1987, he purchased the LaPorte Insurance Agency, which he ran for eighteen months. Returning to South Bend, Frank opened the Krakowski Insurance Agency located on Lincoln Way West. His mission in life was to care for Beth and the rest of his family; he tried to solve everyone's problems and would help anyone. He was especially proud of his son, Frank, Jr., and his music. He would take or go anywhere with Frank, he would “play the room” making friends with blues brothers and sisters wherever they went, at The Midway Chicago Blues Festival, King Biscuit Festival or Pezja's Tavern. He was “Big Frank” and his son is “Little Frank.” Over the years, Frank was a “gentleman farmer” raising corn and soybeans for his beef cattle. He got great amusement from his two goats, Nanny and Pepper. Raising a large garden and giving away produce filled his summers. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 17, in the funeral home, with the Rev. Ted Stanley presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on June 15, 2016