Obituary: Charles Franklin "Frank" Liupakka

Charles Franklin "Frank" Liupakka, 81, of Esko passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at Essentia St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Frank was born on Sept. 17, 1942, to Moses and Ida Liupakka in Cloquet. He was raised in, and attended school, in Esko, graduating in 1960.

Frank married his grade school sweetheart, Jane Marie Juntunen, on April 15, 1961.

Frank was an ownership partner in Moses Chevrolet and Liupakka Oil until it was sold. He carried on working for Trico Oil. Frank loved his customers and served them well, retiring in 2005.

Much of Frank's time was spent serving others. As a member of Apostolic Lutheran Church, he was a Sunday school teacher, board member, and also cemetery sexton for 50-plus years. He was a member of the Esko fire department for 33 years, was chief for 26 years and a life member of the Minnesota Chiefs Association. Frank was a Carlton County commissioner for eight years and a past member of the Esko Educational Foundation.

Frank enjoyed downhill skiing most of his life, locally and out West. His love of skiing carried on until his passing. He loved skiing with his grandkids and was ranked nationally in downhill ski racing. Frank also enjoyed fishing on Lake Superior and deer hunting at The Camp. He loved traveling locally and abroad with Jane.

He was known for the integrity with which he lived his life and conducted business, in loving people, as a hard-worker, and with a huge impact on his family and community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Moses and Ida Liupakka, and siblings Robert, Raymond, Dale, Ruth, Anne, Irene and Mildred.

He will be missed greatly by his wife, Jane Liupakka; children, Jana Richardson (Ryan Loft), Jody (Nathan) Eichhorst, and Russell (Jill) Liupakka; grandchildren, Kyle, Drew (Jessica Shuey) and Abigail Richardson, Ryan Eichhorst (Cobby Rowan) and Leah (Josh) Schmidt, and Zachary (Kayli Fuhrman), Joshua (Sarah) Liupakka, and Grace Liupakka; great-grandchild, Beckham Schmidt; and siblings Leona, Carol and Mary.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. Visitation continues at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service Monday, March 11 Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko. A luncheon will follow the service and a private burial will be at a later time at Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery. To sign a guest book and leave an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.