Leslie W. Kahlow, age 90, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on April 24, 2022.
Leslie William Kahlow was born on March 11, 1932 in Henderson, MN, the son of William and Anna (Moenke) Kahlow. He graduated from Henderson High School.
He loved spending time with family and making new friends wherever he went. He had a lifelong love of polka music and came of age going to the local ballrooms – he had boundless energy on the dance floor. Living on the shores of Lake Waconia gave him many hours of joy; fishing, boating, birdwatching, and enjoying the changing seasons. An avid birdwatcher and an astute whistler, many species of birds would come to greet him and see who was in the neighborhood. Les had a beautiful baritone singing voice and sang in many church choirs over 75 years, hanging up his robe just before Covid.
Les was a farmer in his early years, raising livestock and crops with his father on the family farm in Henderson, MN. He moved to Hopkins, MN and later Waconia, MN and worked for The Toro Co. as a machinist for 30 years while he raised his family. He had a well-earned long retirement, eventually moving to The Villages, FL. Never one to sit still, he worked part time mowing golf courses, singing in choir, and volunteering in housing outreach with his church, among other activities. Les was proud to be part of the founding board of the Ney Center in Henderson, MN, seeing the transformation of his family farm into a vibrant community resource.
Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anna Kahlow. He is survived by his loving family: wife Mary (Doering) Kahlow; daughter Ann (John) Hobbs of Port Jefferson, NY, son David (Julie O’Keefe) of Oak Park, IL; grandchildren Penelope (Jaska) Hobbs, Thomas Hobbs, Bodie Kahlow, and Mitchel Kahlow.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday June 11, 2022 at 11:00 am at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Les Kahlow to: The Ney Center, PO Box 93, Henderson, MN 56044.
