A Celebration of Life service for 95-year-old Leslie Kirkman of Northfield, Minnesota, formerly of Windom, Minnesota, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning, July 28, 2017, at Jeffers Baptist Church, located in rural Jeffers at 48558 Minnesota State Highway #30.
Visitation will be today (Thursday, July 27, 2017), at LaCanne Family Funeral Service in Windom from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home is located at 2280 6th Avenue. A second visitation will be at the church the day of the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
LaCanne Family Funeral Service of Windom is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to: http://www.lacannefuneralhome.com/.
Leslie’s health had been declining and on Sunday morning, July 23, 2017, he passed away at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield.
Leslie Marvin Kirkman was born on January 20, 1922, on a farm in Ledyard, Iowa, the son of the late George A. and Lillie (Heitkamp) Kirkman. He attended country school through the eighth grade in Mountain Lake. Leslie enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from September 14, 1942 until December 16, 1945 when he was honorably discharged. During his time in the service, Leslie was a Gunner’s Mate aboard the USS Texas and served in Africa, Europe and Asia during World War II. After his discharge, Leslie went to ag school for two years and then farmed with his parents.
On February 14, 1948, Leslie was united in marriage to Evelyn Mae Olson at the home of Reverend A.L. Seamons. This union was blessed with one son and three daughters.
After marriage, Leslie farmed and then worked at Werner Milling in Windom for several years and in 1962, he began working at the Cottonwood County Highway Department as a highway foreman until his retirement in 1986.
In 1952, Leslie and Evelyn were saved and baptized at the Jeffers Baptist Church in rural Jeffers and became members of the church at that time.
They took much pride in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; seeing them often and not missing many of their church, school or sporting events. They also were foster parents for many years. Through the years, Les enjoyed many fishing and camping trips and Evelyn and he refurbished antique furniture.
Evelyn passed away on February 4, 2015.
Leslie is survived by his two daughters, Debra (Roger) Huitt of Bloomington, Minnesota and Cindi (Ken) Simon of Comfrey, Minnesota; foster children, Eldon Smith of Oklahoma and his son, Steve and Dan Smith of Oklahoma; grandchildren, Greg Huitt and his son, Dylan; Megan Benson and her children, Callie and Camron; Rebecca (Nicholas) Zuehlke and their children, Marisa, Brockton and Isla; Matt (Stacie) Simon and their children, Kennedie and Brent; Kory (Christa) Simon and their children, Caleb, Kaylee, Lacey and Landon; Jordan (Abby) Simon and their children, Ashlynn, Diezel, Dallis and Jayde and many relatives and friends.
Leslie is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; an infant son and daughter; one brother, Loren (Dorothy) Kirkman; three sisters, Martha (Fred) Mohlenkamp and Erma (Ferman) Hurley; and Alice (Archie) Schuknecht.