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Frank Charles Dusenka, Chisago City, was called home to the Lord on January 9, 2021.  He was born June 25, 1934, above the pool hall at Dusenka’s Bar, in Frank’s words, “on the hottest day of the year”, in NE Minneapolis, MN.  Son of Frank Dusenka and Wanda (Wines) Dusenka.  

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley (Colberg) Dusenka, son Bradley Dusenka, son in law Ted Dougherty, his brother James Dusenka, and sisters Lynn (Dusenka) Kennedy, and Darlene Dusenka.  

Frank Dusenka is survived by three children; Frank E. Dusenka (Debbie), Kim A. Dougherty, Teresa E. Clay (Marc).  He is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and by his sister Cheryl (Dusenka) Vee and numerous nieces and nephews.  

He was the oldest of five children and at age 17 lost his father.  While going to high school he also helped his mother run the family business, Dusenka’s Bar and helped raise his brother and sisters. He graduated from Edison High School in 1952.  He was class valedictorian, senior class vice president, belonged to Scroll and Quill, was a stair guard and also a member of the honor society.  He was also voted friendliest in his class in his senior year.  At the age of 17, he was the youngest person in Minneapolis to ever obtain a liquor license.  

In 1956 Frank married the love of his life, Shirley Colberg, and immediately started to raise a family of his own.  After the tornado in Fridley in 1965 Frank left Dusenka’s Bar and went to work for his father-in-law Ed Colberg at Chisago Hardware in Chisago City.  He purchased the hardware store from Ed in 1968.  He was elected Mayor in 1969 and served a two year term, hiring the first police chief in Chisago City.  He and Shirley enjoyed traveling, frequenting casinos and spent many winters in their home in Los Fresnos, Texas.  

His family was of the highest importance to him and as his business grew,3 three of his children and four of his grandchildren joined the business which is now Chisago Hardware and Frankies Marine.   Frank was the oldest surviving business owner in Chisago City at the time of his passing.  His sense of humor will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.  

Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church in Lindstrom, MN.  Visitation 4 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom, MN.  Interment at Chisago Memorial Park in Chisago City, MN.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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