Leslie Frank Kotval

Leslie (Les) Frank Kotval passed away April 5, 2018. He was born February 8, 1931 to Frank & Iva Kotval in a small farming community, Vesta, MN. He often talked about how the family was so poor that they did not have running water nor electricity. He attended a one-room school house which consisted of all eight grades. The teacher even made lunch for the children! By time that he was a teen-ager, the family move to a larger town, Echo, MN. The parents put in indoor plumbing and electricity in this new home.

At Echo High School, he excelled in football, baseball and basketball in spite of his mother's request to

not participate in those dangerous activities. After high school, he attended Macalester College for two

years, then he transferred to the University of Minnesota where he obtained his Business degree. After

spending two years in the Army he returned to the University of MN to earn his CPA designation. He

worked briefly for Price Waterhouse in Chicago. He returned to Minnesota to work for General Mills.

In 1961 he joined Medtronic, Inc. an up and coming medical company which introduced the heart

pacemaker. He was the Chief Financial Officer as well as being vice-president and treasurer. In1972 he

left Medtronic to pursue other interests.

In 1978 the family moved to Colorado Springs so he and his wife Barbara could play golf all year!

Unfortunately, Barbara passed away in a short time. In 1987 he married Susan Tong. He and Susan

travelled all over the globe but they were always glad to return home to Colorado or to their winter

home in Scottsdale, Arizona. They were active supporters of the local art scene, including the Colorado

Springs Philharmonic and the Fine Art Center. They were members of the Broadmoor Community

Church and the Country Club of Colorado. Les played tennis up to his 80's and always managed to beat

Susan! They were also avid bridge players and spent many an hour or two playing bridge with friends.

Les was a collector of rare books. He loved to watch baseball when the Rockies were playing. He also

was a die-hard fan of the Broncos, usually watching them on TV as did not like to drive to Denver. He &

Susan had season tickets at The Air Force games and they spent many Saturdays at tailgate parties with

friends to watch the team. Dancing was another activity that they enjoyed. They belonged to several

dance clubs. Les was very much a "ladies man" dressed in his tuxedo as he took Susan to dinner and

danced the night away.

Kindness and integrity best described Les. He was a kind man and disliked any confrontation. He was a

model citizen - obeying ALL laws. If the sign said "NO PARKING", he would drive around until he found a

spot to park the car. And he was sure to have every item documented in his income tax returns!

Les was predeceased by his parents, and his first wife, Barbara and his brother Floyd Kotval.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan; daughter Susan (Jeffrey)Figgs; son Perry (Katy) Kotval;

stepsons, Dr. Kevin (Debrah) Tong; Clayton (Linda) Tong; step daughter, Syrilyn{Kathy Ferrell) and nine

grandchildren: Barbara, Luke{Ashley) Rachael and David Figgs; Brandon, Elizabeth and Kyle Tong Alexander and Andrew Kotval. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce McKay of Redwood Falls, MN.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 2 at 11:00 A.M. at the Broadmoor Community

Church, 315 Lake Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to the

Broadmoor Church, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic or the Fine Art Center.