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.
Guest Book
All my love to the Family. The best group of people you will ever meet!
~ Bryan Palmer
La Jolla CA (7/12/2016)
So sorry for your loss. Your parents raised a wonderful family and their legacy lives on through you. You're in my prayers.
~ Karen Hanson
Rapid City SD (7/11/2016)
So sorry for your loss.
~ Patty Morris (Seidler)
Romoland, CA (7/21/2016)
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Theron. I have a lot of memories of both him and Elain from growing up in the Lutheran Church. I can remember Theron and Celia's mother coming out to visit Richard and Celia Doud. It was always fun to visit with him when he and Mike and Brad would come out to Douds to work cattle or getting to go over and help them when it was their turn. Seemed like him and Elain were at all the basketball games cheering everyone on. Take care Scottie, Mike and Russ and your families.
Rich Butler
~ Rich and Carrie Butler
Casselton, ND (7/16/2016)
Dear Koehler's, You dad had this smile and mischievous grin every time I walked into the nursing home when he was visiting your mother. He would tell a joke, have a hard shake and always a smile. He gave everyone who entered a positive feeling. Even the last couple of weeks he would say "Hello Vern" to my father as we walked down the hall. I send my love, blessings to all and sympathy at his passing.
~ Kay Foland
Rapid City (7/12/2016)
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Theron always had a smile on his face. I have fond memories of Theron and Elaine. They always made me feel welcome and treated me as though I was part of their family. I so enjoyed visiting with them when I was at the nursing home. Find comfort in the great memories they made.
~ Charlie Vollmer
(7/12/2016)
Our sincere sympathy to all the Koehlers. We use to laugh when Theron would bring Loomix to our cows -- they always knew that he was the "candy man". We all got a good laugh out of our cows then! He was such a nice, gentle man, and will be surely missed. May God send you all peace and comfort in your precious memories.
~ Nels & Dorothy Paulson
Hayes, SD (7/13/2016)
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. In memories we find comfort, I know that you have many wonderful memories of this man who will be missed by your family and friends.
~ Marcia Jackson
Spearfish, SD (7/12/2016)
This has been a hard time for your family losing both Elaine and Theron. May it be a comfort to know they are at peace and together again in Heaven. Keeping you all in our prayers.
~ Larry & Julie McLaughlin
Midland, SD (7/9/2016)
To all the family we send our deepest sympathy and our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Theron was a great man and never did we see him without a smile. God Bless You.
~ Larry and Vicki Neiderworder
PHilip,SD (7/9/2016)
Losing a loved one is never easy. However, the God of comfort, Jehovah, assures us that there will be a time when we can see our dead loved ones again. In the Bible at Acts 24:15 it us assures that there will be a resurrection and 1 Corinthians 15:26 tells us that the enemy, death, will be brought to nothing. My sincere condolences to you all during this difficult time.
~ T. Kelly
MD (7/28/2016)
You were blessed to have such wonderful parents. May the love of family and friends help comfort you at this time.
~ Dave & Karen Webb
Rapid City, SD (7/10/2016)
We are thinking of you folks during this time, but we all he is in a better place with Elaine. Hold onto all the wonderful memories.
~ Les and Joann Pearson
Philip, SD (7/11/2016)
So sorry to hear about Theron.....now he is at peace and together again with Elaine! He will be missed, great guy!
~ Emily & Ronnie Sammons
Midland, SD (7/11/2016)
Great memories of Theron and Elaine having coffee with us at Lucy's and all those yummy Taco Tuesdays!! We will give a shout out as we walk by the house on our yearly visit. You will never be forgotten!!
~ Bill and Kay Palmer
Amherst, WI (7/11/2016)
I am so sorry for your loss, on the heels of losing your Mom, too. May God be especially close to you as you go through this hard time. I saw a card once that said, "God made memories, so we could have roses in December." How true; and the memories I have of both your parents won't fade for a VERY long time. God Bless. In Christ, Beryl (Addison) Geer
~ Beryl (Addison) Geer
Gillette, WY (7/11/2016)
Thoughts and prayers to all. Theron will be missed by many. I especially remember him from coming to see Elaine.
~ Dan and Marilyn Uhrig
Philip (7/11/2016)
SD
~ Eileen Sinkey Aberle
Sioux Falls (7/13/2016)
We were so sorry to hear of your lose. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. He is in a better place and with the love of his life with Elaine in heaven. May God Bless.
~ Darwin and Betty Haerer
Wall, SD (7/13/2016)