Frank J. Koshere

Frank Koshere, 73, of Duluth, died August 15, 2024, at Solvay Hospice House with his wife by his side, 14 months after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s-plus syndrome.

Frank was born and raised in West Allis, Wisconsin. In 1974, he graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in natural resources, with a focus in fisheries, and a teaching certificate. He worked as a water quality biologist with the Wisconsin DNR for 35 years, a career that allowed him to spend many days working outside on the Northern Wisconsin lakes he loved. Frank and Roseanne Koshere Olsen were married from 1973-1994 and had three children: Kathryn, Frankie, and Lauren.

Growing up, Frank, his brother, and his dad built the family cottage on Bishop Lake, Wisconsin. From building his own custom cedar-strip kayak to nature photography, Frank taught himself and mastered many new skills throughout his life. He spent every season active outside: fishing, hunting, harvesting wild foods, kayaking, trapping, biking, camping, and cross-country skiing.

Frank enjoyed annual fishing and hunting trips in Wisconsin with his brother and looked forward to Western road trips in the fall for solo elk hunts with his primitive black powder muzzleloader. Over almost 20 years of hunting near the Continental Divide in Idaho, he brought back a total of 17 elk.

He took great pride in sharing the wild foods he harvested with family and friends, who enjoyed many delicious homemade fish fries and game meals with him. Walleyes were his lifelong favorite fish to catch and eat - like his mom before him.

Frank met Karen while cross-country skiing in 2008 and they married in 2011. They enjoyed fishing, skiing, paddling, hunting, camping up the North Shore, and taking road trips to the West and Alaska. During his final illness, he treasured Karen’s skillful, devoted caregiving in the beautiful home they built together. Frank enjoyed his morning coffee with views of the beaver pond, rustling aspen and maple trees, and their friendly yard deer - “Suzy” - up until his last days.

Frank is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters, Kathryn (Mike), Lauren, and Erica (Matthias); son, Frank; granddaughters, Andrea and Kadence; grandson, Ian; brother, Dennis (Sue); sisters, Jo-Anne and Jean (Scott); mother-in-law, Hazel; sister-in-law, Jana; and brother-in-law, Keith (Cindy).

He is preceded in death by his father, Frank, and his mother, Ruth.

In lieu of memorials, please support candidates who protect our public lands and clean waters. Family will gather for a private celebration of life.