Frank Kurtyka

Frank E. Kurtyka, 96, Forest River, ND died Monday, November 23, 2015 in Valley Memorial Home Eldercare, Grand Forks. Frank Edward Kurtyka was born February 28, 1919 in Minto, ND the son of Walter and Frances (Kowalski) Kurtyka. He was raised and educated in Walsh County, North Dakota, completing the 8th grade. With the exception of his time in the service during WWII, Frank lived his entire life in Walsh County. Frank served his country in the U. S. Army from 1942 – 1946 with the 12th Armored Division, 152nd Signal Corp. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate prisoners from the Nazi concentration camps. He was proud to have taken an Honor Flight, accompanied by his son, to Washington DC to tour the World War II memorial. When he returned home from the War, Frank’s first job as a civilian was in trucking.  After a short time, he went into automobile repair. He owned and operated Frank’s Repair Shop in Forest River for over 65 years. His shop became a gathering place for any of the local folks who needed anything fixed or if they just wanted a place to go to visit. In his shop, he focused on truck and machine repair,welding, and machining.  With his abilities as a self taught machinist, he was able to duplicate any part that was needed. Frank also plowed snow for the railroad and ran a AAA 24 hour wrecker service. Frank really enjoyed his work in the shop, still working even in early 2015. Frank married Beatrice Bina on November 18, 1947, in Veseleyville, she died on December 19, 2006. Survivors include his children, Francis (Alberta) Kurtyka, Grand Forks, and Carol (Frank Holecek) Kurtyka, Moorhead, MN; 8 step-grandchildren; 19 step great grandchildren; sisters, Rose Clause, Harlingen, TX, Florence George, Mays Landing, NJ and Eleanor Spicer, Mays Landing, NJ; and a brother, Henry Kurtyka, Towner, ND.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Johnny; daughter-in-law, Margaret Kurtyka and a step grandson, Bill. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto, ND. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Visitation will continue for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Forest River, ND.  Military honors will be conducted by the Forest River American Legion and the North Dakota Army National Guard.