Sister Mary Lillian (Eleanor) Kroll, 103, died Dec. 3, 2025, at St. Francis Convent in Little Falls. A memorial Mass will be held at the convent at 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Her body was donated to science, so a Christian burial will be held at a later date at St. Francis Convent.
Sister Lillian was born on March 18, 1922, in Royalton, Minnesota. She was the oldest of 13 children born to Frank and Margaret (Cekalla) Kroll. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls on Aug. 12, 1938. She made first profession on Aug. 12, 1940, and final vows on Aug. 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.
She ministered as a music teacher, choir director and teacher in St. Cloud, Foley, Elk River, Flensburg, Fergus Falls and Waite Park. She ministered as a director of religious education, a 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 and in 1972 she published a book for religious education called 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 and high school students to the elderly. Sister Lillian 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.
Donations to Franciscan Sisters ministries are preferred.