Francis (Frank) Skierka, 90, of Stevens Point passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours on May 15, 2018. Visitation will be held on Friday, May18, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 PM with rosary to be prayed at 7:00 PM at Shuda Funeral Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM (visitation from 9:00 to 10:00 AM) Saturday at St. Peter Catholic Church, Rev. Arul Joseph V will officiate.

Frank was born February 3, 1928, to Anton Skierka Jr. and Elizabeth (Bulczak) in a log cabin on a homestead in the Town of Bevent, Wisconsin. During the Great Depression and at a young age, Frank moved to Milwaukee with his parents where he attended parochial school, held a newspaper route and worked in a movie theater.

Frank served in the United States Army from 1946-1947 as a Special Equipment Operator with honorable discharge.  After his returned from service, Frank returned to the area and worked as a heavy equipment operator for the DNR and as a mechanic at local auto garages (including Ford and Chevy).  Using his experience and technical education, he became a business owner of Frank’s Automatic Transmission shop from July 1960 to 1998.  His son Robert took over the family business where it continues today.

Frank married his best friend and the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) Klismith on August 28, 1954 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point. With Frank’s strong religious belief and his wife Betty, they founded the Choraleers Polka Mass group in 1979 for which he participated for 32 years.

His fascination of trains grew as he saw the trains come in on the tracks outside his business window.  His interest inspired him to collect and display Lionel trains.

Dad had a strong work ethic and get it done attitude which he passed on to his children.  He loved to be outside and fix anything that needed to be repaired.  He was an active member of the Southside Business Association, Knights of Columbus, and Holy Name Society.

Frank is survived by his six children: William (Bill), JoAnn (Charlie) Rutta, Julie Belt (Darryn), Mary (Dave) Kazmierczak, Barbara (Jay Zellmer) and Robert; grandsons Anthony, Tim, Jeff and Drake. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and daughter-in-law Laurie (Bill) Skierka.

Special thanks to the many caregivers who provided loving care of Dad, in particular, family member Julie Belt, Nancy Hornick, Yvonne Krause, and Heartland Hospice as Dad remained very happy in his final years.