Lester 'Les' Franz Jr. Obituary Lester "Les" Franz Jr., age 89, lifelong resident of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, at Whitefish at the Lakes in Crosslake, Minnesota. Les was born on May 8, 1936, in Brainerd to Lester Sr. and Dorothy (Davis) Franz. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Lucy Kyro, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and love. Les was a devoted husband, proud father, and loving grandfather. His legacy of strength, service, and quiet generosity will be cherished always. Les is survived by his wife Lucy, two children Dan (Mary) Franz, Lynn Franz and four stepchildren, Renee (Mac Bailey) Kyro, Brenda (Sean) Farrell, Kevin (Denise) Kyro, LeAnn (Cheryl) Ristow-Kyro, 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren. His brothers Allan (Sharon) Franz, Jerry (Deb) Franz, sister Donna (Dean) Klebs, as well as many cousins and friends. He is proceeded in death by his parents and his sister Marilyn Schumaker and her husband Ron. Les said, "his greatest volunteer activity was being in the Lords Army which has allowed me to do all the things that I have". He went on to say, "When I see a need, if I can be of assistance in some way I try to fill that need". Les parents instilled in him at an early age the need to help others. "God had provided the family with so much so share what you have". And they did. His parents took in foster children, so many that he doesnt remember a time when it was only family; mother Dorothy, father Lester Sr., brothers Allen and Jerry, and sisters Donna and Marilyn around the dinner table. Les also learned, from his dad, how to fix cars, including, brakes, oil changes and other small jobs, always giving to those in need. As a member of Temple Baptist Church, he served as Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, and Usher. You could also find him helping in the kitchen, cleaning or making repairs around the church. Admittedly, he enjoyed the attention lavished on him especially by the "older" women who would often bake special "cakes" for him. He served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota General Baptist Conference, volunteering at Trout Lake Camp. As the President of Whittier PTA in the sixties, he was instrumental in getting hot lunches for the students. He was a Camp Confidence volunteer and Board member, prior to becoming Confidence Learning Center, there was never too big or too small of a job for him. Les would gladly chop wood, build paths/walkways, benches, repairing cabins, helping with clean up days, selling raffle tickets, and so forth. When John Mariucci started the "Mariucci Festival", Les was there and helped with the festival for many, many years. As a member of Lakewood Evangelical Free Church: Les has devoted himself to serving others through ushering, assisting with volunteer activities, oil change ministries, ABC 4 Sunday Class, and he was a Mens Fraternity graduate. Les enjoyed volunteering at Camp Jim, Camp Shamineau and Timber Bay Camp doing construction, maintenance, wood cutting, building benches, painting, he was always up to the task. On three different occasions Les was instrumental in going to China to help build "English Language" camp. For many years Les assisted in the Dabill Honduras garage sales raising funds for missionaries. He was a charter member of the noon Sertoma, Life Member, and has held all club offices (some more than once), he was Sertoman of the Year both local and distract. He was a member of Swingin Sertomans, helping with Winter Wonder Land, pipe and drape operation and proudly served as the Club Chaplin for several years. Les served on the Board of Directors for "Lets Go Fishing" where he was a captain and equipment coordinator. In 1991, he was the Crow Wing County United Way Co-Chair, and for the first time the United Way raised over $300,000 in a campaign. He also spent time volunteering to distribute food for Rubys Panty. He was a natural when distributing Bibles with The Giedions, sharing his love of The Lord with everyone he met. Les was an avid member of The Lakes Area Goldwing Motorcycle Club, where he enjoyed countless rides. Les retired from the Army and the MN National Guard after 31 years of service. He enjoyed volunteering with the 194th Regiment, keeping the history of the Bataan and other military memories. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 18, from 57:00pm at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. An additional visitation will begin at 10am on Thursday, June 19, at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter, followed by celebration of life at 11:00am. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately after the service. Interment with military honors will take place at 10:00am on Friday, June 20, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Les name to: Confidence Learning Center or Brainerd Habitat for Humanity.