Frank DeSleer

Frank DeSleer was born on Dec. 3, 1931, in Nicollet to Gust and Mary (Coopman) DeSleer. He grew up on the family farm north of Marshall, attended country school and graduated from Marshall High School in 1950. He received his first communion and was confirmed at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. Frank met the love of his life, Helen Klein, on a blind date in Tracy on Labor Day 1953. They were married on June 22, 1954, and embarked on a life full of ambition and adventure, hard work and happiness and plenty of laughter and love, never leaving each other’s side for the next 70 years.

Faith and family were everything to Frank. At family gatherings, after praying for health and happiness for all, he would often sit back, scan the faces of those around him and remark to Helen, “Did you ever think we’d have all this?” He was a member of St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley and, later, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. He was an affectionate and devoted husband to his wife, a dedicated and loving father to four daughters, a fun-loving and inspiring grandfather to 13 grandchildren and a particularly proud great-grandfather to 28 great-grandkids who adored him. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, and was a recent member of the Sons of the American Legion.

Frank worked hard and played even harder. He farmed and raised livestock, served as a school custodian, sold cars, pumped gas, was a licensed real estate agent and even worked as a taste tester for a time. He enjoyed gathering with friends and family, playing cards, fishing, camping and traveling, taking many trips with Helen to various locations all across the country, as well as epic expeditions to Alaska, Mexico and Guatemala.

Quick-witted with a sharp sense of humor, Frank had a quip for almost any situation. While hilarious on the surface, those who knew him and loved him recognized his oft-spoken one-liners as sayings of substance – lessons learned over the course of a life well lived that will be passed onto generations upon generations of his descendants, ensuring his words of wisdom will echo through the ages and make this world a better place for years to come.

Frank DeSleer died peacefully on Feb. 8, 2026, after a good night’s sleep. Left to carry on his legacy is his beloved family, including daughters Kathy (David) Ourada, Patty (Randy) Lessman and Nancy (Barry) Andres; grandchildren Christine (Steve) Nelson, Laura (Peter) Schneider, Steven (Deena) Devereaux, Erin (Danny) Colburn, Justin (Amber) Lessman, Becky (Ben) Nelsen, Kyle (Brittany) Lessman, Ryan Andres, Danielle (Mike) Durland, Tony (Kayla) Ourada, Adam (Erin) Ourada, Zach (Haley) Ourada, Ashley (Tanner) Lind; great-grandchildren Amelia,

Rachel and Ben Nelson, Andrew, Bennett and Emma Schneider, Eli and Gavin Devereaux, Virginia Colburn, Taryn, Caledon, Messina Lessman, Kale, Brenna, Terra Nelsen, Beau and Bria Lessman, Rylee and Jocelyn Durland, Ellie and Macy Ourada, Blake, April, Chloe and Cassidy Ourada, Jorgen, Lydia and Arlo Ourada, and baby Lind arriving in April; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, Gust and Mary DeSleer; daughter Judy Ourada; brothers Albert and Francis; and sister Elsie.

Arrangements with Horvath Funeral Service Marshall, Minnesota 507.532.4522 www.horvathfuneralservice.com