Frank A. Schmainda

Frank A. Schmainda, age 80, of Glenwood, MN, died peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Autumn Cottages Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 17th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood. Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to mass. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Glenwood. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Frank A. Schmainda was born on November 26, 1941, at the family farm in St. Anna, MN. He was the third of four boys born to Frank and Angeline (Studniski) Schmainda.  From the age of 12, Frank attended St. John’s Preparatory School for pre-seminary. After graduation in 1959, he went on to attend St. John’s University, where he earned degrees in Philosophy and Classics (Latin and Greek) with a minor in English before graduating in 1963. The following year Frank began his teaching career in Glenwood, MN, where he taught English and Latin for over 30 years until his retirement in 1997.

On July 29, 1967, Frank was united in marriage to Linda Scepaniak at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Holdingford, MN. They made their home in Glenwood, where they raised their three children, Tom, Teri, and Bryan.

Frank had a passion for helping others and will be remembered for his love of family, and strong faith. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Speltz in 1982 and served many years at Sacred Heart Church in Glenwood performing baptisms, weddings, funerals, and celebrating mass. He also started communion services at both nursing homes in Glenwood on the weekends and began a food shelf out of the basement of the church which came to be known as “Hearts and Hands Community Food Shelf of Pope County”, still in operation today in a separate location. Frank loved spending time with his family and often recruited them to help with his many charitable projects. He also enjoyed working outside, tending his flower and vegetable gardens.

Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda, of Glenwood; their three children, Tom (Carla) Schmainda of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Teri (Bruce) Middendorf of Centerville, and Bryan Schmainda of Glenwood; six grandchildren, Miranda Middendorf, Bailey Middendorf, Dakohta Schmainda, KayLynn (Josiah) Ruch, Alexandria Schmainda, and Sarah Schmainda; one great grandson, Milo Ruch; his brother, James “Jim” Schmainda; sister-in-law, Rosie (Mrs. Richard) Schmainda

He was preceded in his death by his parents and his brothers, Elmer and Richard Schmainda.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Frank to the Hearts and Hands Food Shelf, 206 Sixth Avenue NW, Glenwood, MN 56334.

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