Henry “Hank” Korczak, 88, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Friday, November 29, 2024, at Valley 4000 on 42nd in Grand Forks.
Henry Korczak was born on June 1, 1936, in Grafton, ND, the son of Anton and Victoria (Marynik) Korczak. He attended rural school in Walsh County and graduated from Grafton High School in 1955. Following graduation, Henry enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Chaffe, Arkansas, Fort Ord, California, and Germany.
Following his honorable discharge from military service, he returned to Walsh County and married Janice Riske on September 26, 1960, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ardoch, ND. The family briefly lived on a farm in Walsh County and then moved to Grand Forks, where Hank built his own house. During that time, he was employed by Lunseth Plumbing and Heating and joined the Pipefitters Union. Hank attended the University of North Dakota and later obtained his Master Plumbing and Steamfitting Licenses. The family moved to Grafton in 1973, where he owned and operated Hank’s Plumbing and Heating. He retired in 2000, and in 2002, he and Jan decided to start spending the winter months in Mesa, AZ.
He was a proud and dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus and a long-time member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Grafton and Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks.
He loved attending all his children’s and grandchildren’s various school events. He enjoyed polka dancing, camping, and playing cards with friends.
He is survived by his wife Janice; a son, Darryl (Melanie) Korczak, Bismarck, ND; daughters, Delrae, Mesa, AZ and Danelle, Littleton, CO; a brother, Gregory (Genevieve) Korczak; grandchildren, Derek, Mariah (Korczak) Hassebrock, and Kirklan; great-grandchildren, Amelia, Arielle, Owen, and Adalynn.
He was preceded in death by his parents and other siblings.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with a 6:30 p.m. Rosary Service and a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Wednesday.
Knights of Columbus Honor Guard: Members of the Bishop Provencher, Assembly 1578.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, and the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Burial: 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, Warsaw, ND.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com
(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)