Donald Kaehler

Donald Elmer Kaehler was born on April 1, 1919, the son of Henry and Elsie (Hasselmeyer) Kaehler in Leavenworth Township, Brown County. Don was the fourth generation to live on the 1876 homestead farm. Don married Veona Kletscher on November 28, 1947 in Vesta, MN. The couple farmed and milked cows until retirement in 1983. He continued to help with field work many years after swapping homes with his son James, who resided at the Cobden farm site, four miles away. Retirement brought wonderful years of wintering in Arizona with Veona where they enjoyed visiting friends, playing cards, riding bike and dancing. Don loved to visit his children and spend time with his grandchildren, listening to music, fishing, tinkering with bikes and scratching out a vegetable garden whenever a bare patch of land showed. In later years, he liked joyriding around the countryside with special friend Judy. He will be missed but never forgotten. God Bless, Don. He is survived by his sons - Jim (Diane) Kaehler of Springfield, Mark (Carol) Kaehler of Sauk Rapids, Scott (Georganne) Kaehler of Winona, Brad (Denise) Kaehler of Anoka; daughter - Lynn (Jim) Lally of Prior Lake; grandchildren - Kyle, Laura, Jamie, Jenna, Jill, Trisha, Seth, Cameron, Madelyn, and Reese and a special friend - Judy Tomschin. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Veona in January of 2002; a brother - Vincent; and a sister - Elvira.