Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).
Trinity Lutheran Church
Midland, South Dakota
of Midland, South Dakota, died on Friday, July 8, 2016 at the Philip Nursing Home at the age of 86
Theron Cornell Koehler was born December 23, 1929 in Powell, SD, the son of George and Genevieve (Ziegenbein) Koehler. The family made their home in the Powell area where they ranched until 1941 when they moved to Coquille, Oregon. The family returned to South Dakota in 1945 and settled in Nowlin. Theron graduated from Midland High School in 1947.
Theron was united in marriage to Elaine Russell on December 23, 1952 in Midland, SD. After their marriage they moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri where Theron was stationed while in the U.S. Army. Theron drove heavy trucks for the Army and rose to the rank of corporal. After being honorably discharged they returned to SD and lived on his parents’ ranch in the Nowlin area. They resided at the ranch their entire married life.
In addition to operating his own ranch, Theron also sold Loomix. He sold enough that he and Elaine won several trips overseas, including Greece and Costa Rica. During the summer, Theron and Elaine always took their grandkids camping, which was one of their best summertime memories.
Theron was proud of his military service and he carried the American Flag in Midland parades for 30 plus years. He was also always a part of the Midland American Legion Honor Guard. He was an active member of the Midland American Legion, Trinity Lutheran Church of Midland, and served on the board for the Haakon County FSA office.
In 1991, Theron and Elaine started to spend the winters in Mission, Texas, and continued to do that for the next 14 years. In August of 2008, Elaine moved into the Philip Nursing Home. Almost every day Theron would make the trip to Philip to visit Elaine.
Survivors include two sons, Mike and his wife Cindy Koehler of Midland, and Russ and his wife Rose Marie Koehler of Custer; one daughter Scotti and her husband Brad Block of Midland; a sister, Celia and her husband Richard Doud of Midland; five grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
Theron was preceded in death by his wife Elaine on April 4, 2016; his parents; and a grandson, Heath Koehler.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, with Pastor Tel Saucerman and Pastor Lauren Ley officiating.
Interment with military honors will be at the Nowlin Cemetery west of Midland.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Midland, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Lauren Ley
Pastor Tel Saucerman
USHERS
Rick Doud - Clint Saucerman
MUSIC
Kim Bierle - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Amazing Grace” #448
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus” #439
Special Music
Abby Finn - Pianist
“Precious Memories”
PALLBEARERS
Jesse Block - Justin Koehler
Aaron Koehler - Shane Finn
Kahler Finn - Ryan Anderson - Ron Doud
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Nowlin Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota