Duane Kahler

 Duane Donald Kahler, age 92, passed away surrounded by his wife and children at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester on September 21, 2021 after a fall and short illness. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 25th at 2:30pm at Church of Christ in Truman with Rev. Merrill Davis officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 12:30-2:30pm at the church. Burial will be at Horicon Cemetery in Truman. Zaharia Family Funeral home is entrusted with arrangements. www.ZahariaFamilyFuneral.com

Duane was born December 31, 1928 to Otto and S. Lavina (Ballentine) Kahler in Inkster, North Dakota.  Duane moved with his family to the Truman, Minnesota area when he was five years old and his father farmed in Fraser Township.  Duane graduated from Fairmont High School in 1946. 

Duane married the love of his life, Darlene Payne, on December 12, 1949, at the Truman Church of Christ.  The couple traveled miles and miles on roller skates at the Truman Roller Rink.  Duane worked for and with Walt and Elaine Johnson on their farm east of Truman before and after marriage.  In 1951, Duane joined the Air Force and trained as a C124 mechanic during the Korean War.  Duane was proud of his service and his flag and country.  After serving four years, Duane returned to the Johnson farm.

In 1963, Duane was hired by Truman Fertilizer.  He later managed that plant for Kerr McGee.  In 1968, the Kahler family had the opportunity to move to Colorado to manage a small ranching operation.  When that employment ended, Duane learned that the Truman Farmers Elevator had purchased the Kerr McGee plant and he returned to Truman and managed the fertilizer plant until his first retirement at age 62.  Duane continued to work for WFS and CFS in the fertilizer department until his second retirement at age 86. 

Duane and Darlene enjoyed wintering in Mission, Texas for 27 years.  Duane could be found most days at the park hall shooting pool; the bank shot was one of his specialties. Duane was baptized at the Horicon Church of Christ and was a member of the Truman Church of Christ where he worshipped regularly.  He was also a lifetime member of the Oles-Reader-Bosshart Legion Post. 

Duane is survived by his wife of almost 72 years, Darlene, his children David (Tonia) Kahler, and Linda (Cleon) Mohwinkel, four grandchildren (Tamsen, Danielle, Rhett, and Matt), and seven great-grandchildren (Ben, Nathan, Ryder, Kennedy, Ayrabella, Zane, and Lincoln). 

Duane is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Lester Kahler, Harold Wood, and Robert Wood), one sister (Ione Gray), sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews Robert Wood, Dennis Gray and Dean Gray; nieces Darla (Wood) Vilt and Donna (Gray) Reinke, and many cousins, other family members, and wonderful friends. 

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