Sister Mary Lillian Kroll

1922 - 2025

Sister Lillian Kroll, 103, died 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 and master's degrees in theology and spirituality. 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, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Hawaii and Canada. She led many groups on Franciscan pilgrimages to Assisi. In 1972 she published a book for religious educations, Valuable You.

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 eldering 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.

Memorial mass held at St. Francis Convent at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Her body was donated to science, so a Christian Burial will be held at a later date at St. Francis Convent. Arrangements are with Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Little Falls.

Donations to Franciscan Sisters ministries preferred.