Linda Kahler

Funeral services for Linda Kahler were held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the St John Lutheran Church, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Janice Travnicek was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Jeff Rehler, Erik Helland Tony Shattuck, Gregg Bartling, Rich Weller and Wyatt Weller.

Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Linda Mae Boxdorfer Kahler was born on May 31, 1949, at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. She was the only daughter of four children born to Rudy and Dorothy (Hall) Boxdorfer. Linda spent her early years growing up on her family farm north of Sioux Falls. She attended Lincoln Grade School and later graduated from Sioux Falls Washington High School in the class of 1968. Linda worked as a waitress at Kirk’s Cafe in Sioux Falls after graduating.

Linda met the love of her life, Ron, in March of 1972, and they were united in marriage on August 27 of that year at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. They made their first home in Gregory, SD, where Linda went to work at Buche’s Food Store until their son Eric was born on August 4, 1974. Linda stayed home to take care of Eric, and when Eric went to school, Linda then joined Ron and the Kahler family in working at the Coast to Coast store in Gregory. In August of 1981, their young family moved to Wagner to operate the Coast to Coast store. During this time, Linda was involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, square dancing, the TOPS group, and the LWML women’s church group.

Shortly after Eric graduated high school in 1992, Ron and Linda sold their Coast to Coast store. Ron went back to college to achieve his registered nursing degree, and Linda was employed at the Crossroads Cafe and later at the Alco store in Wagner. In 1997, Linda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She continued to work at the Alco store until her Parkinson’s prevented her from working. Ron’s decision to achieve his nursing degree seemed to be a miracle from God and Linda was grateful for the exceptional care he provided her.

Linda enjoyed reading, traveling, camping, attending church, and spending time with friends and family. Ron and Linda especially enjoyed taking trips to the Black Hills. Despite her Parkinson’s disease, Linda continued knitting and crocheting a variety of items for her friends and family. Linda was known for her perfect memory as she could remember anybody’s birthday, anniversary, name, or face. Linda’s family was very special to her and she always enjoyed spending time with friends.

Linda passed away on July 23, 2021, at the Avera Gregory Hospital at the age of 72.

Linda is survived by her husband, Ron, of almost 49 years of Gregory, SD; her son, Eric and his wife Darla, of Bison, SD; two grandchildren: Jake Kahler of Yankton, SD, and Allison Kahler of Bison, SD; three brothers: Dwane (Maxine) Boxdorfer of Sioux Falls, SD, Terry (Lynda) Boxdorfer of Sioux Falls, SD, and Kevin Boxdorfer of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Jim and Cheryl (Kahler) Schmidt of Omaha, NE, and Darrell and Roxie (Kahler) Shattuck of Gregory, SD; one aunt, Betty Pinney of St. Louis, MO; and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Dorothy (Hall) Boxdorfer and in-laws Ed and Louise (Lindwurm) Kahler.