Br. O.F.M. Lester Kochlin

Br. Lester Kochlin, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its headquarters in Atlanta, GA, died, in hospice care, at the age of 91, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at St. Mary's Nursing Home in Felician Village, Manitowoc, WI.
Born in Jordan, MN, on July 5, 1934, he was the youngest child of Carl and Julia (Rogers) Kochlin. Given the name, Charles, he was baptized and confirmed and attended grade school at St. John the Baptist Parish in Jordan, MN.
Discerning a call to become a Franciscan friar, Charles went to St. Joseph Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, IL. On July 4, 1955, he was received into the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis, IL, and given the religious name, Lester. Br. Lester made his first vows a year later and his solemn vows in Cleveland, OH, on June 22, 1962.
For the next 48 years, Br. Lester served the Franciscan Order and the Church in a variety of ministries in Chicago and Quincy, IL, Memphis, TN, Cleveland, OH, Waverly, NE, San Antonio and Crowley, TX, and Chaska and St. Paul, MN. His ministries included service on parish and school and retreat house staffs, formation work with young men interested in Franciscan life, home health care, and community leadership. When asked to comment on his Franciscan life, Br. Lester remarked: "My ministry as a Franciscan has always been a very important part of my life."
In 2010, Br. Lester retired and went to live with the friars, and other religious, at St. Clare's Villa in Alton, IL. In August 2016, he moved to Manitowoc, WI, with his new residence at the Franciscan retirement community at Blessed Giles Friary. He died on November 8, 2025, under the care of the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice at St. Mary's Nursing Home in Felician Village in Manitowoc, WI.
Br. Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Julia Kochlin, by his sister, Mary Jane Kaleas, by an older brother who died in infancy, Donald James Kochlin, and by his nephew, Jerome 'Jerry' Kaleas, and two great nephews, Brian and Jarrod Kaleas.
He is survived by his Franciscan brothers, as well as his niece, Karla Thompson, of Waterloo, IA, and her family, Gabe and Dee Thompson, and their daughter, Alexis, as well as Jerry's wife, Peggy Kaleas, of Denver, IA, and their son, Justin Kaleas.
During his retirement years, Br. Lester filled his time reading novels, watching murder mysteries and Hallmark movies on T.V., following his favorite sports teams in football and baseball, listening to music, enjoying a nightly glass of his favorite wine: Chardonnay, etc. One friar remarked how he "was enamored by his knowledge of baseball players and their statistics." To his family, Br. Lester was always "Uncle Chuck" and they talked often of the delights they received from his home visits. For them, he was "the best."
The friars would like to express their appreciation to Br. Lester's caregivers at Blessed Giles Friary, as well as the staffs at St. Mary's Nursing Home in Felician Village and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls and Manitowoc, WI.
Funeral services for Br. Lester will be held at Blessed Giles Friary, 1820 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc, WI on Saturday, November 15th, at 11:00 am with a meal following. Br. Lester will be interned in the friars' plot at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan, MN at a later date.
In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Br. Lester Kochlin, O.F.M., for the continued care of the retired Franciscan brothers and priests of the province. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please send your charitable donation to: Franciscan Friars of Missouri for the benefit of Blessed Giles Friary, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, MO, 63118 Attn: Finance Office. May God bless you.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Home, Pfeffer location, Manitowoc, WI is assisting the friars with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting: https://www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com/pfeffer-funeral-home-obituaries.
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