Remembering Fran Kryzsko
Francis “Fran” Kryzsko, 82, of Grand Forks, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 4, 2017, surrounded by his family. He was a long-time over-the-road bus driver for UND.
He was united in marriage to Carolyn Schultz on June 27, 1964 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Reynolds, ND. Three children were born to this union. His career started at age 6 selling newspapers on the corner in Grafton. In high school he worked at a body shop. After his time in the Army, he worked at Kedney Furniture, Russell’s Meadow Gold Ice Cream and Pepsi-Cola. He returned to Meadow Gold as a branch manager. He earned his real estate license and began selling homes for Walt Mikkelson Real Estate. He then went to work driving bus for the City of Grand Forks, Triangle Transportation and the University of North Dakota. He started the over-the-road bus program for UND, retiring after 23 years of driving many sports teams all over the country.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, time at the Northwest Angle, cutting and selling firewood, cooking, storytelling, finding and making deals, his grandchildren and his many pets over the years. He was an avid Sioux fan. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church for more than 75 years. His sense of humor stayed with him until the end.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn, or as he would say, 102 years. His children include a son, Thomas, his wife, Lori and their daughter, Cassie of White Bear Lake, MN; a daughter, Jane Belcher, her husband, Michael and their children, Jacob and Alexis of Fargo, ND; a daughter, Judy Dvorak, her husband, Sid of Minto, ND, their son, Jordan and his wife, Allison of Sioux Falls, SD and a son, Jonathan of Fargo, ND; a daughter, Lisa Ertman, her husband, Trent of Grand Forks, ND, their daughter, Jewell and husband, David Wiosna of Moorhead, MN, their son, Skylar and his wife, Nichole of Grand Forks, ND, their son, Reilly of Regensburg Germany; a son, Patrick and his wife, Denise of Winfield, MO and their son, Joseph Purdy and 5 great-grandchildren, Zaiden Belcher, Ezra Dvorak, Myra and Octavia Wiosna and Penelope Ertman. He is also survived by five sisters, Mary Jean Morris, Bonnie (Ralph) Fetter, Peggy Kryzsko, Nancy (Robert) Rood, Sally (Greg) Stocker and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Beverly Kryzsko; his son, Bennett Kryzsko and his brother, James Kryzsko.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fran’s name to St. Michael’s Foundation, 520 N 6th St, Grand Forks, ND 58203, Altru Hospice, 2501 Demers Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58201 or Circle of Friends Humane Society, 4375 N Washington St, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2017 in St. Michaels Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday with a 4:30 p.m. rosary service and 7:00 p.m. vigil service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Wednesday.
Burial: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com
