Frank Harnacker

Harnacker, Frank - Wednesday June 21, 2023. Beloved husband of the late Anna Harnacker for 69 years. Dear father of Richard (Lisa) Harnacker, the late Linda Harnacker, and Monica (Sidney) LeGrand; Loving grandfather of Nicole (Michael) Shaw, and Emily (Brandon) Nienaber; Dear great-grandfather of Anna and Alexander Shaw and Paxton and Parker Nienaber. Dear brother of John (Linda) Harnacker and brother-in-law of the late Elisabeth (Hans) Josef; dear uncle, cousin, and friend.

Frank never met an obstacle he couldn't overcome. He was born in Pardan, Yugoslavia. Shortly after losing his father in WW II at the age of 14, Yugoslavia's German population was forced into Tito's concentration camps, from which he escaped after 18 months. He made his way to Vienna, Austria where he met his wife, Anna. They married in 1951 and immigrated to St. Louis in 1952 where he resided for 71 years. He worked for many years at Southern Equipment Company as a welder of stainless-steel kitchen equipment for many notable landmarks in St. Louis. He also co-authored a welding training manual used by St. Louis Community College to teach welding.

In 1958, his daughter Linda was born with cerebral palsy and blind. Frank and Anna cared for her until she was 48, at which time they found Pony Bird, a home for those with cerebral palsy. Frank spearheaded the effort to build a memorial garden at which there is an annual memorial service. At the age of 80, when Anna was no longer able, he learned to bake cookies which were so tasty they were auctioned off at Pony Bird silent auctions. He was an avid gardener with beautiful roses and a large vegetable garden.

Visitation Tuesday, June 27, 2023, from 9 – 11 a.m. at St. Matthias The Apostle Catholic Church, 796 Buckley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125. Funeral mass immediately following. Interment in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.

Donations may be made to: Pony Bird, Inc., P.O. Box 190, Mapaville, MO 63065-0190.