Otto Francis “Frank” Svacina

Otto Francis “Frank” Svacina, 92, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2014, with his daughters by his side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2920 Azle Ave., with Father Richard Johnston, TOR, celebrating. Interment will be in Greenwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at Biggers Funeral Home where a rosary will begin at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Frank’s name to the St. Thomas the Apostle Building Fund.

Frank was born September 7, 1921, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the son of John and Lucille Marek Svacina. Frank was a World War II Navy veteran serving as a corpsman from September 8, 1942, until November 7, 1945. Upon his discharge, Frank entered the University of Wisconsin to study pharmacy. He finished his degree at the University of Tennessee in 1949.

Frank met the love of his life, Bernadette Johanning, in Milwaukee Wisconsin, where they married August 25, 1951. Bernadette and Frank raised their family in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where they owned Frank’s Rexall Pharmacy for 21 years. In Prairie du Chien, Bernadette and Frank were members of St. John’s Nepomuc Catholic Church. After arriving in Lake Worth in 1978, they joined St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Frank’s personality was larger than life itself. He was extremely social and involved in many community organizations such as the Crawford, Wisconsin, County Board, parish councils, Eagles and Elks clubs. For over 60 years, Frank was active in the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus in both Wisconsin and Texas. He served as the Faithful Navigator and Grand Knight and was the founder and charter member of the 10930 Father Gerlick Council in Fort Worth. After his nieces invited him to a World War II Honor Event in Wisconsin, Frank was so excited to participate in the World War II Honor Flight and became an advocate promoting the flight to any veteran.

Frank was most proud of his family, attending all events including the Johanning Reunion each August in Wisconsin, Frank never met a stranger, his blue eyes, smile and sense of humor will be remembered by all.

Frank cherished his late wife until his death. “Sixty years and the Good Lord called you and we did part. Sixty-plus years – you are still in my heart. Soon I will join you at your side. My being, my heart, shall next to you abide. My Bernadette – You! I’ll never forget. Your Frank”

Frank was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Bernadette; his parents; brother, John; and sister, Elizabeth.

He is survived by his daughters, Sherri Critchlow (Charles) of Bloomington, Wisconsin, Yvonne Amick (Buddy) of Lake Worth and Denise Langley (Bill) of Arlington; son, Jay of Irving; grandchildren, Stacy, Rhonda, Ben, Teri, Angela and Candace; great-grandchildren, Rachel, April, David, Kevin, Sam, Alycia, Myquela, Tanner, Mary Bernadette, Madison, Donovan, Harley and Alleigh; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Balousek of Verona, Wisconsin, Bette Mayer(Maurice) of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, James Johanning of Mazomanie, Wisconsin, Lucille Casper and Della Mackus of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Eleanora Johanning of Madison, Wisconsin; and hundreds of nieces and nephews.