Sister Ade Kroll, 86, died Oct. 1, 2025, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Little Falls.
A wake and burial were held for Sister Ade on October 3. A memorial Mass will take place at St. Francis Convent on Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. Friends and family may gather at St. Francis Convent one hour before the memorial Mass. The Mass will be livestreamed on YouTube: youtube.com/@FSLFvideos.
Sister Adeline was born on May 16, 1939, in Royalton. She was the tenth of 13 children born to Frank and Margaret (Cekalla) Kroll. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls on July 31, 1957, making first profession on Aug. 12, 1959 and final vows on Aug. 12, 1962. She was a Franciscan Sister for 68 years.
Sister Adeline received a bachelor’s degree in education and theology from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul; an interdisciplinary master of arts from Manhattanville College, White Plains, New York and a master of arts in sacred theology from Regis College, Toronto, Canada.
She ministered as a teacher, artist, and spiritual director. For the past 25 years she lived out her ministry through working with Faithful Fools Street Ministry in San Francisco, California.
Creation and creativity flowed through Sister Ade’s hands as she stitched brilliantly colored quilts, turned paper mâché into lively puppets, and stewed random vegetables into soul-soothing soups. Every moment of creativity and community was, for Sister Ade, a celebration of life.
Sister Ade was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Pauline Kluetsch, Stephen, Cordelia Fiero, Clement, Celestine, and Mary. Survivors include Franciscan Sister Lillian, Little Falls; Jean Litke, Pierz; Father Anthony, Sauk Rapids; James (Patricia), Wahkon; Thomas (Virginia), Sauk Rapids; and Janet (Elmer) Litke, Grand Rapids; nieces and nephews; The Balfour-Cove Family, especially Siobhan, and her Faithful Fools and Franciscan Communities.
Arrangements are by Lemieur Funeral Homes, Little Falls. Donations to Franciscan Sisters’ ministries are preferred.