Shirley A Kahler Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Shirley Ann Kahler was born to Theodore and Daisy (Stevens) Heaney on July 25th, 1935 at Lincoln NE and passed away Sept 9th, 2011 at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva NE at the age of 76. She was the youngest of five children. Growing up, Shirley’s family lived in California and Nebraska. In their travels, the Heaney family built many memories. Mom often talked about things they did growing up. Mom was a beautiful drum majorette at Grand Island High School, where she met the love of her life, Ralphie. After marrying in 1951 they lived in Polk, NE and were blessed with their first two children, Murry and Debby. After moving to Fairmont, three more bundles of joy came along: Danny, Cindy, & Kimmy. We remember spending time in Lincoln and Omaha with Mom’s siblings and their families on weekends and during summer vacations. Shirley wore many hats while her children were growing up. She worked at West Brothers for Walt & Max West, where she got a taste for interior design, which she shared with many over the years. After leaving West Bros. she became the Fairmont Public School secretary, working and developing a great friendship with Richard Ekwall. During this employment she worked from home, as secretary for Farmers Non-stock trucking company. Later she worked for Richard Quick Trucking Co. in Geneva. She loved selling Mary Kay products and we all had great facials to prove it. Mom & Dad both retired from Farmers Non-Stock and moved to Texas. The Kahler family belonged to the Methodist Church of Fairmont for many years, where all five children were baptized and confirmed. Shirley & Ralph were quite active in the church, singing in the choir, participating in small groups, ushering on Sundays, and even volunteering all their children to perform a weekly “polishing of the pews”. Shirley loved bowling with her Monday-night team. She used her gift of design doing ceramics. Our fondest memories as a family were the summer camping & boating trips with friends and family. Watching Mom’s graceful water skiing never failed to amaze us. Mom loved her Birthday Club, Coffee Clutch, and the Cackle Club friends. As Shirley’s children grew up, left home, married, and started having babies; the grandchildren became the center of her life. She spent much of her time doing grandmotherly things…..babysitting those who lived nearby, and visiting those who lived far away. Shirley was an avid golfer and won many tournaments. Mom and Dad’s love of golf led them to spend winters in McAllen TX. When retirement rolled around, they purchased a home on a golf course in McAllen, where they golfed every day and met wonderful new friends. They maintained an apartment in Geneva and went back and forth for 10 years. They had the time of their lives!! Ralph’s illness and death in 2005 left Shirley with a hole in her heart that no one could fill. She permanently left TX and settled in Geneva NE to be near her youngest daughter Kim & her family, who cared for Shirley with love and attention. She was doing well and decided to move back to Fairmont to be near her youngest son Danny, who was struggling with health issues. Shortly after her move to Fairmont her health started to fail, she spent the remainder of her life with family and friends at Fairview Manor. Although her heart was with Dad and Danny, she fought her way back through several difficult times, finally giving up the battle and going home to be with them. Mom will be missed by all; but we are comforted to know she is with the love of her life. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Ralph Kahler. Her son Danny Kahler, Grandson Anthony Gooding, Great Grandson Thomas Cunningham, her parents, 2 brothers and a sister. She is survived by Son Murry Kahler and wife Cathy, of Etiwanda, California Daughters, Deb Gooding and husband Peter of Paradise Valley, Arizona, Cindy Kahler of Mesa, Arizona, Kim Gewecke and husband Jim of Geneva, NE Daughter-in-law Mary Kahler of Fairmont, NE a Sister Donna Hilzendeger of Blair, NE by 7 grandchildred and 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at the Fairmont Community Church on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. No public visitation, and memorials to Fillmore County Hospital Foundation in lieu of flowers. Inurnment in the Geneva Public Cemetery.

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Shirley A Kahler

July 25, 1935 - September 9, 2011