Frank Tvrdik

Frank Joseph Tvrdik was born December 10, 1924 in Lake Mary Township, MN, the son of Frank and Barbara (Kalina) Tvrdik. He was raised and schooled in Lake Mary Township. Following his schooling Frank worked on the family farm. On August 13, 1945 Frank was united in marriage to Clara Danelke at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish House in Millerville, MN. The couple moved to Alexandria, MN. Frank served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War. Following his discharge he returned to Alexandria where he worked at various jobs including the laundry and the butcher shop. Frank learned the carpentry trade and began his career as a carpenter with John Zavadil. They built several churches and homes. Frank went into partnership with his brother, Henry and formed Tvrdik Construction. They built and worked at many different homes and businesses in the Alexandria area including Old Broadway, The Senator and The Depot. For eight years Frank worked with and taught carpentry to his son-in-law, Dean Logan. At age sixty-three Frank had a heart attack and retired from home building. He continued to do carpentry and woodworking projects around the home and for family and friends. He also did craftwork building planters and birdhouses. Frank kept a large vegetable garden and was very generous to friends and neighbors with his produce. He enjoyed the outdoors; hunting and fishing, especially ice fishing and spearing in the winter. Deer hunting with his sons was something Frank looked forward to; it became a tradition that has been passed down to Frank?s grandchildren. Frank was a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 and a long-time member of St. Mary?s Church. On Thursday, April 24, 2014 Frank died at the age of eighty-nine years. His two sons, Rodney and Curtis Tvrdik; brothers, Wencil, Anton, Tom, Henry, David and Fred Tvrdik and an infant brother; and sisters, Mary Chan, Christine Tvrdik and Lillian Wildman, preceded him in death. Frank is survived by his wife, Clara Tvrdik; daughters, Ann Logan, and husband, Dean, of Alexandria and Deb Hildebrand and husband, Bill, of Champlin, MN; grandchildren, Katie Tvrdik, Adam Tvrdik and wife, MaKayla, Amanda Logan, Ryan Logan, Erik Hildebrand and Chad Hildebrand; one great grandson, Wyatt Curtis Tvrdik; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld was the celebrant. Entombment followed in St. Mary?s Cemetery. Casket bearers were Katie Tvrdik, Adam Tvrdik, Amanda Logan, Ryan Logan, Erik Hildebrand and Chad Hildebrand. Honorary casket bearers included Mike Donnay, Bernie Bitzan, Donnie Lorsung, Wally Roers, Daryl Tvrdik and Ralph Tvrdik. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936, American Legion Post 87, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 and the Minnesota National Guard accorded military honors. Arrangements were with Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria, MN.