Lester Carl

Obituary for Lester Carl

Lester Carl, age 76 of Portsmouth VA (formerly of Moorhead) died on August 7, 2025. Lester was born on August 13, 1948 in Minneapolis Minnesota. He spent his childhood in rural Correll, MN with his parents and seven siblings. In 1966 he graduated from Odessa High School in Odessa, Minnesota. Two years later, he married his high school sweet heart Kathryn Nitz on June 1, 1968. Les and Kathy went on to have three children- a daughter Jennifer, and two sons, Erik and Nathan. Les worked in retail management and for the first few years they lived in various places in MN, WI, and SD. In 1976 they settled in Fergus Falls, Minnesota where Les and Kathy bought their first women’s shoe store. Together they successfully owned and operated four shoe businesses in different locations for over 40 years. Les was a jack of all trades and for a period of time sold insurance and also used his carpentry skills to work on numerous homes and projects over the years. In 1979, Les accepted Jesus as his Savior. This was a turning point for him, and in 1985 he felt the Lord calling him into ministry. Les graduated in 1988 from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN. From 1988 until 1992, he served as an associate pastor at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church in Moorhead, Minnesota. He and Kathy also continued to run a successful business during those years. From early 2000-2022, Les served in ministry at many different churches including Anselm, ND and most recently in Disputanta, VA. For most of his life, you could find Les either at the local YMCA playing racquetball, out on the tennis courts, playing pinochle, or frequenting coffee shops with dear friends on a regular basis. He had a tremendous sense of humor and loved to tease his children and grandchildren, usually much to their delight. He was a faithful and loving husband to Kathy for 57 years. He was a musician who loved playing guitar and piano and was part of a band as a teenager and again in middle age. He wasn’t big on the outdoors, but you could often find him grilling a steak, no matter the weather outside. He was a man of many interests and talents, but considered preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to be the highest honor and privilege of his life. Les is proceeded in death by his stepfather Lewis Carl and his mother Leona Carl, two sisters Kathy Perseke and Jean Suckow and two brothers Dale Carl and Arlen Carl. He is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Jennifer (Tim) Tostenson, sons Erik (Emily) Carl, Nathan (Heather) Carl. Two sisters Vicki (Claude) Sherod, Kay Matter. Several sister in laws, nieces and nephews. Seven grandchildren - Alexi Tostenson, Dalton (Chloe) Tostenson, Lydia (Blake) Buer, Spencer (Kendra) Carl, Trey Carl, Kyra Carl and Hattie Carl. Two great grandsons— Ezra Norman Tostenson and Oden Lester Tostenson. Blessed be the wonderful memory of Lester Carl.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Fergus Falls, MN. To give online go to CLBA.org/giving

Checks can be written out or mailed to CLBA PO Box 655 Fergus Falls MN 56538.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

September 13, 2025

Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church - East Campus 2901 20th St S, Moorhead, MN 56560, USA