Myrtle (Halstenson) Kohler - 1893-1980

HALSTENSON, THOMA, KOHLER, LIGHT, SCHORI, STOEHR, BACH

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 3/3/2011 at 20:57:11

SOURCE: Elgin, Iowa ELGIN ECHO November 5, 1980
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services for Myrtle Kohler, age 87, of Elgin, Iowa, were held Friday, October 31,at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Elgin, Iowa with Rev. John McCorkell officiating. Mrs. Leon Hansen was the organist and Arthur Amundson was the soloist. Casket bearers were Dean Harris, Robert Falb, Reuben Lehman, William Moore, Ernest Christen, and Ivan Torkelson. Interment was in the Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Iowa. Muehlethaler-Wright Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Myrtle Kohler, daughter of Charles and Louise (Thoma) Halstenson was born in Elgin, Iowa on February 23, 1893. She died in the West Union Hospital, Wednesday, October 29, 1980. She received her education in the Elgin Public School. On February 23, 1914, she married Melbert Kohler of Elgin, Iowa. They were the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) Light.

Until her husband's retirement in 1955 they owned and operated first Kohler's General Store and later, the Elgin Clothes Shop, in Elgin. Myrtle was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, actively involved in the work of the United Methodist Women. During her younger years, she taught in the Sunday School which brought her in contact with youth groups whom she enjoyed so much. She sang in the choir of the Methodist Church and continued with singing groups until only the latter years of her life. She was a life-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Elgin and one of the original members of Elgin's Senior Citizens group.

Myrtle was held in the highest esteem by her family, her friends and her neighbors. It was said of her by a very dear friend that "She grew old gracefully". Perhaps it might be more aptly said that "She remained young graciously".

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Mel; 2 sisters, Mrs. Clara Schori and Mrs. Bess Stoehr; and a nephew,Carl Schori.

She is survived by her daughter, Betty and her husband, Lyle Light of Elgin, Iowa and one granddaughter, Letha (Light) Bach of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.