Francis Louis Kowalski

Francis Louis Kowalski, 89, of rural Drayton and most recently Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025. One of ten children, he was born on February 6, 1936, in Walsh County, North Dakota, to Leo and Emilia Kowalski.

From an early age, Francis learned the importance of family, hard work, and faith in God. After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked as a meat cutter at several stores, including Miller's 8th Avenue Superfare, partly owned by his brother-in-law, Bill Miller. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Schumacher, on November 17, 1962. On the day of his passing, they had been married for 63 years.

You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy. Francis eventually returned to farming, working for Clarence Swanson and Chris Teien in Robin, Minnesota. He later took over the farm himself, proudly farming until his retirement in 1998.

Francis is survived by his wife, Shirley Kowalski, and seven children: Randy, Bismarck; Kimberly Durbin, Grand Forks; LeAnn Kowalski, Cape Girardeau, MO; Lisa, Fargo; Jason, Grand Forks; Melissa (Benjamin) Hemberger, Fosston, MN; and Jennifer (Adam) Helgeson, Grand Forks.

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Justin (Sophia) and Jarred, Fargo; Aleece (Austin) Clemetson, Casper, WY; Grant and Logan Hemberger, Grand Forks; and Kinley and Emilia Helgeson, Grand Forks. Additional survivors include his brother, Dennis (Marlys) Kowalski, Buffalo, MN and sisters-in-law, Marie Kowalski, Deleno, and Mary Kowalski, Stephen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Fred and Helen Schumacher; and his siblings, Sophie Grzadzieleski, Leona Ebertowski, Ernastine Crafton, Isabelle Rasmussen, Henrietta Gerszewski, Dorothy Miller, Clarion Kowalski, and James Kowalski.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, with a visitation at the church for an hour before the service. Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at Austin Funeral Home, Drayton.

Dad was humble, always lending a hand and doing the right thing without seeking recognition. He taught us to work hard but to also have fun. We will miss his wisecracks, his sense of humor, and the quiet strength he brought to our lives.

We love you and you will be greatly missed. Thank you for everything you have taught us and all you have done for us.

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