Sister Lillian Kroll, 103, died on December 3, 2025, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn.
Sister Mary Lillian (Eleanor) Kroll was born on March 18, 1922, in Royalton, Minn. She was the oldest of 13 children born to Frank and Margaret (Cekalla) Kroll. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota, on August 12, 1938. She made first profession on August 12, 1940, and final vows on August 12, 1943. She was a Franciscan Sister for 87 years.
Sister Lillian received a bachelor’s degree in education from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wis.; a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Tex.; and a master’s degree in spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. She also did graduate study at Hebrew Union College Biblical and Archaeological School, Jerusalem.
Sister Lillian ministered as a music teacher, choir director and teacher in St. Cloud, Foley, Elk River, Flensburg, Fergus Falls and Waite Park, Minn. She ministered as director of Religious Education, college faculty member, pastoral minister, vocation director, retreat director and spiritual assistant to Secular Franciscans, serving in Little Falls; Wautona, Wis.; Pine Ridge Reservation, S. Dak.; Thunder Bay and Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and Honolulu, Hawaii. She led many groups on Franciscan pilgrimages to Assisi. In 1972 she published a book for religious educators, Valuable You. At the age of 85 she started painting and produced many works that she shared with family and friends.
Sister Lillian was a woman of many talents who lived a life of dedication and service. She once said, “I don’t only receive gifts. God expects me to give gifts.” She ministered to people of all ages from preschool, high school, through college years and beyond to their elder years. She was a gracious and considerate person who listened to people’s needs and responded to them. She said that she had lived a lifetime of seasoning, growing, praying and struggling. She found life challenging and believed that her life was what she made it, with the help of the Lord Jesus.
Sister Lillian was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Pauline Luetsch, Stephen, Cordelia Fiero, Clement, Celestine, Mary, and Sister Ade, OSF. Survivors include Jean Litke, Pierz; Reverend Anthony, Sauk Rapids; James (Patricia), Wahkon; Thomas (Virginia), Sauk Rapids; and Janet (Elmer) Litke, Grand Rapids.
A memorial mass was held at St. Francis Convent at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Her body was donated to science; a Christian Burial will be held at a later date at St. Francis Convent.
Sister Lillian's Memorial Video
