Frank Cserpes Jr.

Frank R. Cserpes, Jr.

12/11/1934 - 7/24/2026

Frank R. Cserpes, Jr. of Rotonda West, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday July 24, 2026 surrounded by his family in Brainerd Minnesota.

Frank was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the heart of the Great Depression to Frank Cserpes, Sr. and Margaret (Pohl) Cserpes. Frank was an only child and spent his childhood in rural Dayton going to the Country School that still stands on Fernbrook Lane, Dayton, MN. His childhood memories included playing in the woods with friends, riding horses, hanging out with his favorite dog “Rex” and visiting the Whitefish Chain with his parents.

Frank began his work career early in life. He helped out on the family farm, in the sausage making business with his father and in the infancy of the soup base business (Karlsburger Foods), which Frank would eventually become the President. He alongside with Lisa and Paul helped grow Karlsburger Foods into a thriving multi product soup base, gravy, sauce and spice manufacturing and distribution business that still thrives independently today. He was a constant tinkerer and inventor. He came up with many of the flavor profiles and recipes that are still standing the test of time and are being sold today. He developed a direct to consumer (restaurants, schools, hospitals) marketing plan where the sales where handled by the sales/delivery drivers who knew the products and customer’s businesses intimately.

Frank met and fell in love with the love of his life Sharon (Nelson) Cserpes at a dance at a 1950’s dance club in Milaca, Minnesota. The two were united in marriage on September 19, 1959. Frank and Sharon resided in Dayton where Frank was born and where they raised their two children Lisa (Cserpes) Taylor and Paul Cserpes. The family spent most weekends and summers at the their lake home in Crosslake, Mn. They enjoyed waterskiing, boating, swimming, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing together. Crosslake is where the family made many of their lifelong friendships and where both children reside today. In 1997 they retired and sold the business to Lisa, Paul and moved their residence to Florida while still spending summers in Crosslake.

During his retirement Frank continued to tinker and invent and could often be found in the garage retrofitting any commercially bought product into a “Franked up” version. Most of them involving hose clamps, carabiners and welding. He made everything better but not always in a classic clean line fit and finish way but more in a practical functional sense. Frank was a consumer and critic of all sausages and when he found one that fit his tastebuds, he was willing to travel to great lengths to satisfy his need for good sausage. Frank liked to take annual fly-in fishing trips to Canada with his brother in-laws and a dear friend from Florida. Frank never met a fish that wasn’t destined for the frying pan. He loved to cook and eat and he was good at both. He loved the cookies and sweets that Sharon would keep “hidden” in the freezer.

Frank is proceeded in death by his parents Frank and Margaret Cserpes, Nephew Brian Nelson, and brother in law Glenn Byl. He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 66 years, his daughter Lisa (Bart) Taylor of Crosslake, Paul (Ellen) Cserpes of Crosslake, his beloved grandchildren Tyler, Holly, Hannah and Millie. His in-laws Dennis and Gloria (Nelson) Priem, Sandra (Nelson) Byl and Bruce and Judy Nelson as well as many nieces and nephews.

At Franks request there will be no service. A private ceremony is planned for the immediate family.