Richard A. Mlaker

Richard "Rich" A. Mlaker, 67, Columbia Heights, formerly of Kitzville passed away, on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at The Estates of Fridley Care Center.

He was born on August 16, 1949, in Hibbing to Frank Sr. and Margaret (Turnsk) Mlaker. He grew up in his beloved town of Kitzville, where he made lifelong best friends.  It was in Kitzville that he honed his sports skills, especially hockey.  He graduated from Hibbing High School in 1968, playing hockey for the Bluejackets,  then on  to the Hibbing Flyers of the AJOHL (Arrowhead Junior Olympic Hockey League) and  received a full hockey scholarship to Concordia College, where he earned all American honors. Before graduation he was drafted in the Army, completed his tour of duty, then returned and earned his Bachelor's degree in business from the University of Minnesota.  He moved to Minneapolis in 1975,  was employed with UPS, retiring after 37 years of dedicated service.

Rich cherished his twin daughters, Alyssa and Rachel, and was a devoted "gampa" to his dear granddaughter, Aubriella.

He had the recent good fortune of going to Alaska fishing, and had the trip of a lifetime with brother Tim. He was an avid fisherman, card player and deer hunter, and  looked forward to the annual deer hunt and fishing outings with family and friends.  Rich was always the first one to "pitch in" to help and the last to leave when work needed to get done. Though taken from us too early, those whose knew him will have lasting memories that were made by him.

He is preceded in death by his father Frank Sr., and step-father, Tony Pogorels Sr.; and his grandparents, Albert and Jennie Turnsk- who he shared a special bond with.

He is survived by his beloved twin daughters, Rachel Mlaker of Columbia Heights, MN and Alyssa (Daniel) Quijano of Chandler, AZ; his cherished granddaughter, Aubriella; his mother, Margaret Pogorels of Hibbing; sister, Carolyn (Matt) Baratto of Hibbing; brothers, Frank (Sharon) Mlaker Jr. of Hibbing, Warren (Betty) Mlaker of Cook, Tony (Cynthia) Pogorels, Tim Pogorels and Terry (Carol) Pogorels, all of Hibbing;  former wife, Cheryl Mlaker of Oldsmar, FL; favorite uncle, Henry Turnsk of Vacaville, CA., along with many special nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

A sharing time will be from noon until 3 pm Saturday, April 29 ^th , at the Fridley VFW, 1040 Osborne Rd. NE., Fridley, MN. 55432.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES with military honors, will be at 11:00 Saturday, June 10th, at the Chisholm Cemetery, followed by a gathering of family and friends  from 12 to 3 pm at the Kitzville Community Center.   Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.