Frank Lawrence Vondrashek

Frank Lawrence Vondrashek, 55, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at his home, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma and a short battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Frank was born December 26, 1956 in Glendive, MT to Willard and Dorothy (Halvorson) Vondrashek.He graduated from John Craig High School in Janesville, WI in 1975, University of WI La Crosse in 1979 and the University of MN Carlson School of Management in 1986.In 1979 he came to Rochester to work for IBM as a Software Engineer, to start a career that spanned 32 years. He married Rosalie Perron on June 11, 1988 at St. Marys of the Lake Catholic Church in White Bear Lake, MN. He was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where he was active in several ministries.He was an active member in the Knights of Columbus council 11460.Frank was involved with Christmas Anonymous for over 15 years, serving as New Toy Coordinator, then Vice President and President, and most recently Schools liaison with Rochester Catholic Schools and John Marshall High School.In 2006, after becoming a cancer survivor, Frank and another Multiple Myeloma survivor established the Multiple Myeloma Sharing Sessions Cancer Support group that continues to meet monthly in Rochester.In addition, Frank volunteered with the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Imermans Angels in mentoring cancer survivors. Frank enjoyed helping others, riding his Harley with friends and members of the Rochester HOG group, golfing and time at the cabin in WI.Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Frank is survived by his wife of 24 years, Rosalie; children, Nicholas Vondrashek and Jenelle Vondrashek at home; sister, Anita (Gregory) Brandner of Atlanta, GA; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Dorothy Vondrashek. A Celebration of Life Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 10, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester with the Reverend Don Schmitz officiating.A visitation will be from 5:00-8:00pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes with a Rosary service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester. The family wishes that memorials go to the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), Christmas Anonymous or Holy Spirit Catholic Church.