When Francis 'Frank' Ludka, II died at his home in Traverse City on December 23, 2020, the angels guided him to the loving hand of God.

Frank was a sweet little baby boy born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1948 in Traverse City to Frank and Lillian (Antony) Ludka. The Ludka children thought Frankie was the best Christmas present ever.

The eventual family of four boys and four girls thrived with their childhood friends in the caring neighborhood on East Tenth Street. In the summer, Sunday afternoons were for family outings at O-at-ka Beach. Frank and his younger brother, Chuck, played Little League baseball and they became lifetime fans of the Detroit Tigers and Lions.

Frank was baptized Catholic and received his Frist Holy Communion at St. Francis Church. Under the watchful eye of the good Dominican sisters, Frank and his classmates were taught life's lessons at St. Francis Elementary School.

Frank lettered in football and track in high school. Under Coach Mike Kanitz, the 1966 St. Francis football team lost only one game. The 1967 track team was undefeated and placed second in the State of Michigan championship finals. Frank held the school record in the two-mile event his senior year.

Upon graduation in 1967 Frank and his friend, Bob Doriot, went 'California Dreaming' on a cross country road trip to the west coast. Frank and his brothers often attended the auto races at Martin Dragway near Kalamazoo. Because of Frank's love for cars, he spent many hours with his older brother, Larry (Squeegy) working on the mechanics of automobiles. This led him to enroll in the Automotive Tech program at Northwestern Michigan College.

In February 1969, Frank was drafted into the United States Army. HIs training was at Ft. Lewis,
Washington and Germany before he was deployed to Vietnam in March 1970. He served as a forward artillery observer with the 101St. Airborne Division, 320th Artillery. Unfortunately, what Frank experienced in combat brought him home with PTSD and a lifetime of medical problems from Agent Orange exposure. Over the years he bonded with other fellow Vietnam veterans in trying to help each other cope. Frank was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and the 1101St. Airborne Division Association.

Music was an important part of Frank's character. Frank could tell anyone everything about a musician's history, style and life. He and his brother, Chuck, took a bus to Chicago in the 1960's to see Jimi Hendrix live in concert at Temple Auditorium, an experience he liked to talk about.

Frank taught himself on the drums and was considered an accomplished drummer by fellow musicians. It brought great joy to him. He loved teaching his young nieces and nephews how to play the drums when they came for visits.

In the 1980's, Frank lived near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia working as a carpenter. Returning to Traverse City, he worked in construction before becoming a Untied States Postal worker.

Throughout his life, Frank would often say how blessed he was to have a mother and father who raised their kids with Christian values in a home filled with love and family celebrations.

Frank is survived by his siblings; Ruth Holsather, Lawrence (Loretta) Ludka, Elizabeth Leask, Elaine (David) Kozlowski, Virginia Schram, and Charles Ludka. Also surviving are many precious nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, all of whom Uncle Frank held close to his heart. He also leaves behind many friends who shared friendship and laughter on his earthly journey.

Frank was preceded in death by his loving mother and father; his brother and sister-in-law, Walter Bud (Julia) Ludka; brothers-in-law Wilfred Holsather and Paul Leask; nephew Michael Leask and niece Tari Leask French.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, January 8 at St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Mitchel Roman celebrating the mass. Live stream and video of the Mass can be viewed at www.sfparish.org . Military honors will follow the mass. Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly in the summer of 2021.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38, 2423 Sybrandt Road, Traverse City, MI 49684 or Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, MI 48442.

Please share your memories of Frank with his family on his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services