Frances Pearl Kotaska

Frances Pearl Kotaska, 74, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026. Born June 7, 1951 to Wilbert and Pearl (Forrest) Johnson, she held the distinction of being the last recorded home birth Hiram Twp, Cass County, MN. Fran graduated from West High School in Minneapolis, after which she met and married Robert Kotaska. She earned a Licensed Practical Nursing designation and worked many years for St. Mary's Hospital, Dakota Clinic, Sanford Clinic, and Hospice as an LPN before completing her career as a phone nurse. Fran was preceded in death by her father, Wilbert; her brother, Paul; her sister, Carolyn; and her son, Adam. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, March 20th, from 4-7 pm at First Baptist Church in Detroit Lakes, MN.