Frances L. Kahler

Frances L. Kahler, 80, of Garwin, went home to her Lord on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday June 7th at Garwin United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Brooks Cemetery at Hedrick, IA. Visitation will be on Sunday afternoon from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, IA. Memorials may be directed to the family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Frances and her family. Phone 641-844-1234 Frances Lynora Watts was born on May 10, 1930, in Ottumwa, Iowa the daughter of Lynn and Ruth (Roof) Watts. Frances was raised along with her 8 sisters and brothers on the family farm near Hedrick, Iowa. She attended country school Prairie #6 until she traveled to Hedrick for her High School years; graduating in 1948. Following her desire to be a teacher she attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Earning her Normal Certificate she moved to Garwin, Iowa teaching in the rural country schools from 1948-1952. In 1952 she left the country schools and started teaching Kindergarten and 1st Grade in the Garwin School. Frances met and fell in love with Lawrence Kahler of Garwin. The two were united in marriage on June 13, 1954. Their family grew to 5 with the birth of their sons Gerry and Terry, and daughter Lea. During Frans life she continued to teach as a substitute teacher, taught 5th grade in the LDF school system and the Learning Center at Marshalltown Community College. It was said of Frances, She was a born teacher and that she would teach anyone who was willing to listen. She also worked as a nurses aide at Westbrook Acres Care Center in Gladbrook, IA and Marshalltown Hospital. Lawrence and Frances worked together moving mobile homes in their business Prairie Wanders Mobile Home Moving. Frances drove the escort car for Lawrence. Frances and Lawrence loved to travel whether it was for work or vacation. There travels carried them to many states seeing Gods great wonders. Camping in a tent from coast to coast Frances found this to be an opportunity to meet new friends and spend time with family. Frances and family also spent 35 summers fishing and relaxing at Jesse Lake in Northern, Minnesota. An avid reader, she loved to read history, novels of the pioneers, and the works of Laura Ingles Wilder. She was active in her church and especially enjoyed reading her Bible, going to Bible Study and engaging in discussions of the various topics. Frances loved to play games with her family and friends. Many afternoons and evenings were spent around the table playing card games, board games and scrabble. Surviving Frances is her husband, Lawrence, of Garwin; her children Gerry (Jodi) of Kalona, IA, Terry (Linda) of Marion, IA, Lea Kahler of Sheridan, WY; her five grandchildren Gregory (Jenn) of Tiffin, IA, Matthew (Sarah) of St. Louis, MO, Andrew of Tiffin, IA, Paul Kahler of Marion, IA, Amy Kahler of Marion, IA. Her brothers Fred (Betty) of Priest Lake, ID and George (Marilyn) Watts of Ottumwa, IA, sisters Vivian (Willie) Morfitt of Nevada, IA, Carol (Jim) Daily of Eldon, IA, Janet Watts of Spencer NE, and Lynda Watts of Zearing, IA.; her brother-in-law Paul Stark of Niobrara, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.In death, she rejoins her parents and sister Fern Curless and Marian Stark.