Francis E. '(Frank)' Kazemek

• 

Kazemek, Francis E. (Frank) Age 72, of Buffalo, MN died on December 30, 2015 at Abbott Northwest Hospital. He is survived by Cheryl, his wife of 45 years, daughter Jennifer, sisters Barbara (Walt) Miller and Kathleen, brothers, Edward (Kristina), Walter, and Michael, nieces and nephews. Francis was born in Chicago, the son of Frank B. and Helen Kazemek. After serving in the Marine Corps he returned to school and earned degrees in Philosophy and English and Ph.D. in English Education. He was a professor of Education at Eastern Washington University and St. Cloud State University where he retired in 2009. Francis was a faculty exchange professor at Odessa State University in Ukraine, Cape Coast University in Ghana, a Fulbright Scholar in Norway, a professor of English at LCC University in Lithuania, and Artist in Residence at Petrified Forest National Park. Francis was a prolific writer of poetry, short stories, and professional articles. His work has appeared in magazines and journals. Three of his books have been published. He wrote a poem-a-day for over twenty years and wrote one up to the day he died. Francis and a friend exchanged poems daily for many years. Francis gave of himself to the community in numerous ways. He was a hospice volunteer for many years. He inspired and wrote with children, teenagers, and elders for the last three decades and established and facilitated writing workshops since 1980 to share his love of writing and story-telling. His passion was to help people of all ages to become critical and creative thinkers, readers, and writers. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN on Saturday, February 13, 2016 with visitation at 12:00 and a service at 1:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to share memories of Francis. In lieu of flowers, donations to Doctors Without Borders, Second Harvest Heartland, and Sharing and Caring Hands are suggested. Serving the family is the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. 763-682-1363. thepetersonchapel.com

Published on February 7, 2016