Service Information
Frank Loncorich, age 82, husband of Bonnie, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 14, 2024, 2:00 P.M., at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, with interment in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 P.M., at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Funeral service will be livestreamed via Salem Lutheran Church YouTube Page.
Memorials preferred to Salem Lutheran Church Foundation, St. Cloud State University School of Business Frank Loncorich scholarship or a charity of your choice.
Obituary
Franklin “Frank” Eugene Loncorich was born on February 16, 1942, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to Peter and Edna (Trautmann) Loncorich. He was baptized and confirmed at United Church of Christ in Hutchinson. Frank received his education in Brownton, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Brownton High School Class of 1960. He furthered his education at Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1965 and a Master of Arts in 1966.
On June 18, 1966, Frank was united in marriage to Bonnie Vogt at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Todd and Melanie. Frank and Bonnie made their home in St. Cloud, Minnesota. They shared 57 years of marriage.
Frank began his career in higher education as Assistant Financial Aid Director at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. In 1976, he accepted the role of Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid at St. Cloud State University where he served for 31 years. Frank was instrumental in modernizing financial aid systems for the MN State Colleges and Universities. Throughout his career, he held leadership and advisory roles in the Minnesota and Midwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MAFAA & MASFAA) and internationally in Akita, Japan. He was passionate about making higher education a possibility for all students regardless of their income.
Frank was a member at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud since 1977. He served in many volunteer roles including pastoral search committees, capital campaigns, organ restoration fundraising and the Salem Foundation Board.
Frank loved spending time with his granddaughters, nieces, nephews, attending family events, photography, golfing, pheasant hunting and fishing. He also loved home building and remodeling projects. Frank enjoyed following economics and financial markets as he managed his own investment portfolio. He was an avid fan and supporter of St. Cloud State Huskie sports including football, basketball and hockey. Frank was fortunate to attend the Minnesota Twins World Series game #6 in 1991 and was still waiting for that first Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl championship.
Frank passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
Blessed be his memory
Frank is survived by his
Wife, Bonnie Loncorich of St. Cloud, MN;
Children, Todd (Kristin) Loncorich of Plymouth, MN,
Melanie (Linus) Thell of Andover, MN;
Granddaughters, Ann and Rachel Loncorich, Lucy and Natalie Thell, Emilie Thell (Dan Zabka) and Sierra Thell (Eric Klisiewicz);
Great-grandchildren, Kinsley, Lane and Mable;
Brothers, Orlin Loncorich, Steve (Linell) Loncorich;
Sisters, Joyce (Dave) Schrupp, Joan (Wade) Padrnos;
Many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Peter and Edna Loncorich; Sister-in-law, Bea Loncorich.
Julie Wagner Petersen says
Dear Loncorich Family,
Our most heartfelt sympathy to each of you as you lovingly remember your husband, father, and grandfather, Frank. We are so very sorry for your great loss.
May memories bring you comfort and may God grant you His peace.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
The Petersen Family
Jim and MaryAnn Prill says
Our sincere condolences to Bonnie and family.
Jane Leitzman says
Jane and David leitzman will miss Frank so much. Jane served on the organ restoration committee and he was such an appreciated, capable guide. We so loved when he joined the group for breakfast. He was such a lively, interesting contributor. Such a valuable member of Salem and so appreciate the chance to know the special gift he was.
Joel Ampe says
Frank was a special friend. Always supportive of St. Cloud State basketball. He did his best at supporting the University in all he did. He was proud of his up-bringing, on the farm near Brownton, MN. A Special member of Salem Lutheran Church and over-seeing the Foundation. Spending time, visiting with Frank, will be sorely missed. He made a difference!! God Bless.
Richard “ Dick “ Manderfeld says
To my Dear Friend & Mentor **** Big FRANK. ***** Brother from another Mother.. ? FRANKIE ** We spent wonderful moments together.. as Friends & Professional Colleagues.. From BAYFIELD to ABERDEEN ** ST PAUL ** ST CLOUD & NATIONAL CONFERENCES… Frank & I shared the Happenings of Our Family Lives – Together.. Four Amigos.. Dale – Gary – Frankie & Me… bound together as $ Managers & Student Advocates.. for over 30 years… I will miss most ++ Stories… & our Time together.. BLESS BONNIE / MELANIE – TODD / Spouses & 6 beautiful Granddaughters.. I salute YOU – Brother.. Frankie — FOREVER IN MY ?? ***** Dick Manderfeld – St Cloud / Hamline University
Deidra Anderson says
My husband knew Frank from working with him at SCSU
Lea Ette Peters says
My sympathy to the Loncorich family in the loss of their loved one.
Frank was a close friend of my brother, Don and they graduated together.
Frank was a kind, friendly person and will be missed by many.
In friendship, Lea Ette Peters
El Donna Schultz Harbarth says
Sympathy to Frank’s family. We went to the same country school, and he was always a kind and pleasant person.
Couldn’t have had a better friend.
Marilyn S Hormann says
Dear Bonnie,
I am earnestly sending my remembrance of you, condolences, and prayers for strength and comfort.
European Study Project Member,
Marilyn Sophie Hormann
Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Mary Sue Oehler says
Bonnie,
Reading the comments about your husband, I know he was full of LIFE and will be missed. May you find comfort in God’s love and in the beautiful memories that will bloom and grow.
Love,
Mary Sue Sassaman Oehler
ESP
Steve and Marsha Frauendienst says
Bonnie and families, So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. It was always fun to visit with him through the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Karen Grenier says
To the Loncorich Family. I am remembering Frank and my late husband Myon (Braun) talk about their youthful memories of being good friends and getting caught doing youngster antics. To hear their account of those antics was always a bit exaggerated, sometimes embarrassing and definitely entertaining – Thanks guys for sharing! I was fortunate to marry into the Braun-Loncorich connection and have been blessed with their caring, thoughtfulness and kindness. I will always remember Frank as a true gentleman who shared his capabilities with those who had a need. He will be missed.
Bonnie, my prayers are with you as you traverse your new and challenging circumstances. God Bless.
Dan Nelson says
Frank represented the best of our profession (student financial aid). He was both a tireless advocate for college access and a champion of continuous improvement (his work led to a much more efficient delivery of state grant funds). At the same time as he advocated for public higher education, he joined forces with his private college colleagues to improve financial aid and educational opportunity for all.
And he was one of the kindest persons I have ever met. Nancy and I cherish the memory of singing Christmas carols with Frank, Bonnie, and a group of financial aid friends around the piano in northern Wisconsin (several years). Frank will be greatly missed.
Bonnie and family, may you experience all of God’s peace as you grieve and remember.
Dan Nelson, Bethel University
David Johnson says
It has been decades since Frank and I served together in the St. Cloud State University adminisgtration and he and Bonnie and Jean and I wee fellow members at Salem. I am recalling through the haze of time hat their son, Todd, chose Gustavus for his undergraduate education, when I was Dean of the College there from 1983 to 1990. It was a privilege to work with him and to benefit from his wisdom.
Chancellor Emeritus, University of Minnesota, Morris, 1990-998
Charlie and Kim Schimmelpfennig says
Our sympathies to the family.
Lois L says
What a nice man. He was a mentor and friend and always let me call the bathroom breaks during development team meetings. RIP dear Frank.
Cynthia Mehoves, Information System Manager, MN State Colleges and Universities says
As I struggle to find the words, I recall that Frank always knew the right thing to say and how and when to say it. Through a lot of hard work, long hours, and a good amount of travel, he and his team of college and university administrators built a system to meet the needs of recently merged state technical colleges, community colleges, and universities. From then until his retirement, he took good care of this creation, consistently allocating whatever office resources of his own were needed to work collaboratively with IT staff to maintain it. 26 years later, as the next generation of professionals reviews similar products on the market, that work has stood the test of time. What he and his colleagues together built remains the measure of a reliable, compliant, and user-friendly financial aid system. He has been and will continue to be missed by the Minnesota financial aid community.
Jim and MaryAnn Prill, Sue Host, Austin Host and Mason Host says
Frank will be missed by all his family and all those whose worked with him; along with all his acquaintances over the years.
Bonnie, the memories that Frank and you made over the years will be cherished with love, laughter, warmth and some possible tears. Those memories will be brought up in so many conversations with your children Todd and Melanie, daughter-in-law Kristin and son-in-law Linus, along with all of the granddaughters and great grandchildren. Frank’s siblings will share so many of their great times growing up and the old and current memories.
Bonnie, you and your family are in our our thoughts and prayers.