Francis Blaha

Francis Blaha, age 79, passed away peacefully at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009. A private family service will be conducted by the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, Minnesota. Francis was born on September 17th, 1929 in St. James, Minnesota to Frank and Mary Jane Blaha. September 27th, 1952 he was united in marriage to Loretta Berglin in Cokato, Minnesota at the Cokato Baptist Church. He worked for many years in Litchfield at the Land O' Lakes Creamery, Anderson Chemical and Sederstrom's Fertilizer and Farm Supply. September of 1991, after 22 years of employment, Francis retired from Super Valu Warehouse in Hopkins, Minnesota. Francis enjoyed many years of gardening, spending time with his family at their cabin on Mille Lacs Lake, listening to polka music, socializing with many friends, reading and cooking for his family. Francis will be dearly missed by his wife of 56 years, Loretta; daughters Linnae (Bob) Custer of Lawrence, Kansas, Cheryl (Mike) Swanson of Darwin, Minnesota, sons Jeff Blaha and special friend, Chrystal Rine of Blaine, Minnesota, and Tim Blaha of Hopkins, Minnesota. He is also survived by grandchildren; Holly (Brett) Dolliver of River Falls, Wisconsin, Lucas and Blake Swanson of Darwin, Minnesota, Jonathan Blaha of Blaine, Minnesota, special adopted granddaughter Emily Bell of McLouth, Kansas and many other relatives and friends. Francis is preceded in death by parents, Frank and Mary Jane Blaha, Stepmother Dorothy Blaha, brothers Bob, Gary and Donavan Blaha, sister Marilyn Krueger and grandson Michael Wieczorek. A memorial fund has been set up with the American Lung Association at 490 Concordia Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota 55103-2441.