Leo J. Kohler

LEO JOSEPH KOHLER was born on October 4, 1930 to Herman and Clara (Ruppert) Kohler at their farm northwest of Tyler, Minnesota where he was raised and attended country school. One of his fondest childhood memories was coming into the house and smelling his mother’s rolls in the oven. After his father passed away on February 23, 1946, Leo took over the operation of the farm. On November 30, 1957, Leo was united in marriage to Alice Kerkaert at the Catholic Church in Minneota, Minnesota. The two made their home on the dairy farm northwest of Tyler until January 8, 1999, when they passed it down to their son, Greg, and moved into town. Though he was always a true farmer at heart, he didn’t miss working amongst the flies that came out in the hot summer weather. Leo and Alice shared their home in Tyler until September 28, 2017, when he entered long term care. Leo passed away at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 28 days.

Leo was a lifelong member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and began singing with the choir in 1941. Leo later served as a song leader from 1985 until 1998. Leo truly loved music and spent many hours playing piano, guitar, singing and dancing. He also enjoyed reading books on nutrition and the Reader’s Digest. His family and friends were very dear to him and the time spent together will always be cherished.

Leo is survived by his wife Alice of Tyler; children, Darwin and Lori of Rochester, Minnesota, Patricia and her husband Keith Erickson of Rochester, Steve and Fathya of New Hope, Minnesota, Gregory and his wife Teresa of Tyler, Tamara and her husband Richard Thompson of Andover, Minnesota, Karen and her husband Stephen Nelsen of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Jason and his wife Anne Marie of Carmel, Indiana; sister, Betty Schmidt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 17 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey; parents; and siblings Ervin, Ellen Abraham, Cecilia Dubbeldee, Thelma Dye, Margaret Skjong, and Leona Prosch.

Dear Lord, I don’t deserve your mercy and love
but I want to be near you now and forever in heaven.
Dear Lord, please come into my heart and be with me
all the days of my life.
-Leo Kohler