Donald Kahler

A memorial service for Donald Kahler was held on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

Urn bearer was Kathryn Miller. Kotra-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Donald Gordon Kahler was born March 14, 1972, in Burke, SD, to Harold and Evelyn (Marts) Kahler. Donald was the fifth of six children. Don grew up in Brookings, SD. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1990.

During his high school years Don was a member of the BB Gun Club and was a state champion. He was also a member of the youth archery team and was a state champion.

After graduation, Don started a career as a CNC machinist in Brookings that led him to working in Fargo, ND, building huge sugar beet harvesters. He then landed one of his dream jobs building guns in Sturgis, SD. His passion for guns followed him his entire life. He then worked as a welder for his uncle, Jerry Marts. He was also a bartender for awhile at Gregory Lanes where he met a man who built log homes. This led to Don, his brother Dale, and nephew Tom, traveling all over the US, building homes and other structures. While in Wyoming, Don’s love for horses led him to videoing the chariot races for the fans and jockeys’ enjoyment. Due to a poor economy, he then went to owning and driving semi trucks, mainly in North Dakota during the oil boom.

Donald passed away at his home in Gregory on January 3, 2022, at the age of 49 years.

Donald is survived by four brothers: Dwight (Pam), Douglas, Daryl (Donna), and Dale, all of Brookings, SD, and one sister, Kathryn, of Dallas, SD; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Evelyn Kahler, and grandparents, Dwight and Eva Marts and William and Mary Kahler.