Polka Legend Florian Chmielewski Dies at 97

DULUTH, Minn. — After a lifetime of Polka Music, governing at the Minnesota Legislature, and farming, 97-year-old Florian Chmielewski has passed away. He leaves behind a legion of fans who loved him and the polka music he played.

Playing the accordion for decades with the Chmielewski Fun Time Band, Florian Chmielewski entertained thousands upon thousands of people in person throughout the US and Canada.

” I was out at the DECC 100th.”Yesterday and I reserved for the 100th birthday,” said Chmielewski . “And I’m thinking now I can’t die now. I’ve got two more years and I have to be there at the DECC for my 100th.”

In addition, there was the weekly television program, Chmielewski Funtime. That program lasted 35 years and reruns of the show can still be seen on FOX 21’s Antenna TV on Saturdays and Sundays.

This past February, celebrating his 97th birthday a few days early, Chmielewski was doing what he loved best, playing Polka Music in front of friends and admirers at the Cloquet VFW Club. And he was looking ahead to his 100th birthday. “I was out at the DECC yesterday and I reserved for the 100th birthday. And I’m thinking now I can’t die now. I’ve got two more years and I have to be there at the DECC for my 100th.”

Chmielewski and his music are no strangers to being inducted into Halls of Fame.  The group is in the Minnesota Musical Hall of Fame, the Iron World USA Hall of Fame, and the Intentional Polka Association Hall of Fame and have had dozens of other awards presented to Chmielewski and the group.

Chmielewski was a state senator for 26 years, first winning his senate seat by just 14 votes in the 1970 election. He served in the Senate until 1996 and was president of the Senate in 1987.

Chmielewski and his wife, Pat were married for 47 years before she passed. They had four children.

His obituary is linked here.