Voelker, Francis

Francis H. Voelker was born in Thorp, Wisconsin on January 5, 1931 to Gilbert A. and Josephine Voelker.

After earning a bachelor of arts degree from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Fran served in the US Army. Upon discharge from the Army in 1955, Fran taught English and coached at Foley High School in Foley, Minnesota. In 1959, Fran left Foley High School and began his collegiate teaching career at St. Cloud State College (later University) in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Fran taught English and Mass Communications at St. Cloud State until his retirement in 1991. He also served as the first president of the Inter-Faculty Organization (IFO) after collective bargaining was instituted in the state of Minnesota.

With wife Ludmila (Mil), Fran co-authored and edited three editions of the book Mass Media: Forces in Our Society, History and Legends of the Padrnos Family, and History of Big Birch Lake.

While a faculty member at St. Cloud State, Fran earned a master of science degree in 1959.

Fran married Mil Padrnos on December 27, 1954 at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Holdingford, Minnesota. They had five children: Mary Jo, Marjorie, Catherine, Thomas, and Paul.