DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Musician and former Minnesota State Senator Florian Chmielewski died Tuesday at the age of 97.
The Sturgeon Lake, Minn. native was a world-renowned Polka musician, known mostly for his role with the Chmielewski Funtime Band.
RELATED: Holding On To History: Chmielewski Funtime Band has kept toes tapping since 1882
Chmielewski was also a state senator from 1970 to 1996.
His legislative concerns focused on employment, education, health care, housing, and veterans.
He was a member of a wide range of committees and subcommittees including Veteran’s Affairs; Jobs, Energy, and Community Development; Rules and Administration; Transportation and Public Transit; Employment; Local Government; Taxes and Tax Laws; Health and Human Services; and Agriculture.
Throughout his musical career, Chmielewski received many awards including the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, Ironworld USA Hall of Fame, International Polka Association Hall of Fame, Northeast Accordion Lifetime Achievement, nine Grammys from the Minnesota Music Academy, Honorary Doctorate of Law and Music Degree, Honorary Doctorate of Musicology and an International Merit Award.
Chmielewski also ran the International Polka Festival for 40 years and the Chmielewski Funtime Television Show for 35 years, which was seen across the United States and Canada.
According to his obituary, Chmielewski lived the past several years with congestive heart failure.
Chmielewski’s daughter Patti released the following statement:
“I’m at a loss for words. It seems so surreal and hard to believe even though he was 97. I’ve been by his side his entire life and to lose that part of me will be very difficult in the days, months, and years ahead. I am so very grateful to make his final wish come true as I cared for him 24/7 for the past month in his home so he could pass away there peacefully surrounded by family. A piece of my heart will forever be missing.
No words could ever express my love and devotion to him. I have attached a biography for you and a couple pictures. If you need anything else, please let me know and please be positive in your comments. He was a missionary of happiness and filled the hearts of so many with his music for 79 years and contributed so much to the state and his community through all his legislative work for 26 years.”
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