Kenneth Kahler

Funeral services for Kenneth Kahler were held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Pastor Bill Serr officiating. Taylor Ashdown was in charge of registration. Casketbearers were Brandon Kahler, Michael Preslicka, Kaylon Kahler, Kurtis Atteberry, Dale Pounds, Byrain Boes, Robbie Kahler, and Rick MacDonald. Honorary casket bearers were Jesse Harmer II, Kyle Kahler, Dustin Kahler, Colt Sutton, Rebecca Kolthoff, Beth Beckman, Kari Surpranant, Kelli Zimmerman, Ashley Blakey, Vonna Coker, Amanda Hyde, Brandi Kahler, Brittany Atteberry, Megan Preslicka, and Ryan Kahler.

Interment was in the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Reinhold Kahler was born at home near Herrick, SD, on August 10, 1933, to Reinhold and Leona (Besmer) Kahler. Kenny was the youngest of the four Kahler children, and was raised on the family farm southwest of Herrick. His father passed away when Kenny was only two years old from a burst appendix. His mother remarried Charlie Rolf a few years later and four half siblings were added to the family.

Kenny attended grade school at the Miller School through the eighth grade. He went on to work for local ranchers, including Francis Mc-Carthy and Hank Kannenberg. In 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army; he served until 1956. He worked with Company A 97th Engineer Battalion, mainly in France. Upon returning home, he met Deanna Lingenfelter and they were married on March 9, 1957, at the Lutheran Church in Herrick, SD. They spent their first ten years of their married lives ranching in South Dakota.

In 1967, Kenny and Deanna packed up five children and moved to Wisconsin to operate a dairy and hog farm. Here they welcomed their sixth child. After 14 years in Wisconsin, they moved to Missouri to continue on with dairy farming. Kenny had been stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, for basic training and thought Missouri was a beautiful state. After seven years in Missouri, the final move was made back to the home farm south of Burke. The joke in the family was that if you want to get rid of the kids, move from state to state, marry them off, and move back to the home place.

Kenny continued on with raising beef for another 35 years until retirement in 2021.

Kenny enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. There was always an invite to play cards upon entering the Kahler home. He cherished all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they visited. Playing baseball with homemade bases and telling stories were highlights for the grandkids.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Deanna; children: Debra (Rick) MacDonald of Hermosa, SD, Larry Kahler of Harrisburg, MO, Russel Kahler of Hartville, MO, Tony Kahler of Berger, MO; Brenda (Dale) Pounds of Houston, MO, and Linda (Byrain) Boes of Burke, SD; 19 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren; half-sister Valera Lanz of Gregory, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents Reinhold and Leona; step-father, Charlie Rolf; brothers Delbert (Pete) Kahler and Melvin (Doc) Kahler; half-brothers Marvin (Red) Rolf, Lawrence Rolf, and Laverne Rolf; sister Mildred (Midge) Rolf; sisters-in-law Belva (Stevicks) Kahler, Ann (Karel) Kahler, and Gloria (Frasch) Rolf; and brother-inlaw Herman Rolf.