One of the Northland’s most-loved icons in both music and state government, Florian Chmielewski has died. He was 97. According to his daughter Patty, Florian passed away on April 23, 2024 at home, surrounded by his family.

His daughter Patty told WDIO, “I’m at a loss for words. It seems so surreal and hard to believe even though he was 97,” she wrote. “A piece of my heart will forever be missing. No words could ever express my love and devotion to him.”

RELATED STORY: His name is synonymous with Polka! A look back to Florian Chmielewski in 2015

For over 75 years, Florian Chmielewski brought polka music to the region with the Chmielewski Family Funtime Band, continuing to play well into his 90s. He received his first accordion in 1945, and formed a band that was later joined by his children. According to the Chmielewski Funtime Band website, the polka band produced 40 albums and broadcast the Chmielewski Funtime TV show for over 35 years. Florian was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 1994, and into Ironworld Discovery Center Polka Hall of Fame in 1995.

Florian (DFL) was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1970, serving District 14 and District 8. In 1987, he was elected to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate.

Over the years WDIO has told a number of stories about Florian Chmielewski, his music and family. He and Patty made a visit to Good Morning Northland in April, 2018 to promote the Chmielewski Polkafest.

Florian W. Chmielewski Obituary
Florian W. Chmielewski, Sr., age 97, of Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.

Florian was one of 15 children, born to Tony and Tillie Chmielewski on the family farm in Sturgeon Lake, MN on February 10th, 1927. He was a dairy farmer, and a world-renowned Minnesota musician, and a state senator for 26 years.

Florian’s special 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, Florian 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 Grammies from the Minnesota Music Academy, Honorary Doctorate of Law and Music Degree, Honorary Doctorate of Musicology and an International Merit Award. His love of polka music also inspired him to launch the International Polka Festival for 40 years and the Chmielewski Funtime Television Show for 35 years, seen all across the United States and Canada.

Florian lived his whole life carrying on his family legacy and did so with a sense of responsibility and pride even while living the past several years with congestive heart failure. He lived life to its fullest and put his faith in God and his religion.

Florian is survived by his children; Florian Jr (Cheryl) Chmielewski and Patty (Michael Bell) Chmielewski, 10 Grandchildren; Tony (Jamie), Tiffany (Seth), Jodi (Dan), Amanda (Paul), Ashley, Amber (Jake), Alisha (Geoff), Nick, Lexy and Kati, and 19 Great Grandchildren.

Florian is preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife Pat (Stolquist) for 47 years, and son’s Jeff and Mark Chmielewski. He was the last remaining sibling of the 3rd generation Chmielewski Family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 6th with visitation from 5-7pm at Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home in Moose Lake, MN and May 7th with visitation from 10-11am and Mass at St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Sturgeon Lake, MN.