Francis Kourofsky

Francis C. Kourofsky (Corky), 91, formerly of Silver Bay, Minnesota, died September 28, 2019, at Koda Living Community in Owatonna, Minnesota.

He was born January 11, 1928 to Alexander and Melvina (Cheska) Kourofsky in Lyon Mountain, New York.   Francis grew up and graduated from high school in Lyon Mountain. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth (LaVigne), in 1951. They were married 64 years before she passed away in 2016. In 1954 they moved to Minnesota, starting out in Babbitt and then moving to Silver Bay, where he worked as a welder for 32 years for Reserve Mining Company. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. While raising their 5 children, you would see him playing catch in the yard, sharing time fishing and hunting, putting all 5 kids in the station wagon to go pick raspberries, or seated in the bleachers or auditorium watching sports and concerts. In his retirement, gardening and making diamond willow walking sticks were his hobbies, but his biggest joy was giving the garden produce and sticks to others. Spending time with family and a lot of reminiscing filled his later years with smiles.

Corky was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty, brothers Anthony, Joseph, Stanley, John, Alexander and sisters, Anna, Mary, Anastasia, and daughter-in-law, Grace.

He is survived and will be sincerely missed by his sons, Jeffrey (Deborah) of Webberville, Michigan and Michael of Moorhead, Minnesota; daughters, Kathleen (Joseph) Schramm of Two Harbors, Minnesota, Mary (Lee) Resler of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Linda (Paul) Koehler, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; brother Walter of Lyon Mountain, New York, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the employees of Koda Living Community for making his last few years comfortable. Dad always told us you take very good care of him, and we will always be grateful for the role you played to make him smile.

There will be a private family service and interment at the Silver Bay Cemetery.