Bobbie Kahler

Bobbie Kahler, 91, of Grinnell, passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at her home of natural causes.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grinnell. A face mask is encouraged to be worn by those who haven’t received their COVID-19 vaccination. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. A reception will follow at Bobbie’s residence, 1420 Hobart Street in Grinnell.
Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 18th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and Bobbie’s family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
Memorials may be designated to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to Dollars For Scholars, and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Condolences may be offered to Bobbie’s family online at www.smithfh.com.
Roberta “Bobbie” Jane Kahler was born the daughter of Andrew James and Pauline Ruth (Klodt) Wiley on June 18, 1930, Parkersburg, Iowa. She was baptized into the Christian faith and also later confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg. She graduated from the Parkersburg High School in 1947, attended University of Northern Iowa where she received her teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at La Porte City, Iowa where she met her future husband. She taught at Cooper School until its closure, moving on to Fairview Elementary where she taught first grade, then retiring after 37 wonderful years in 1989.
On August 8, 1952, Bobbie was united in marriage with Gerald “Judd” Kahler, a well-known and well-loved Iowa State Patrol Trooper (1952- 1979). They made their home in Grinnell. Bobbie was a loving wife, mother, teacher, and community leader.
Bobbie was an ardent member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Grinnell. She was thoroughly engaged in politics and enjoyed participating in the Iowa Caucus for many years. She was a member of Grinnell Regional Hospital groups and was on the Drake Community Library Board.
As many of her friends, Bobbie was a dedicated seamstress most of her life. She enjoyed making quilts for church projects as well as children’s clothing, costumes and special things for her son and granddaughter. She loved to travel, visiting 40 of the continental United States and border areas of Canada. She enjoyed decorating for each changing season and holiday, loved tending to her angel garden and hosting Bridge card parties for friends.
Bobbie is survived by one son, Jerry Robert Kahler and his wife, Mary Lee Kahler of La Junta, CO and their daughter, Cassidy Alexandra Kahler of East Point, GA; and the Wilson Groen family of Denver, CO, including Brian and Becky Treitz (3 children) and Marcus and Becci Groen also of Denver, CO, Steve Runyan and wife of La Porte City, Andria Runyan of Mt Auburn, and Beth Runyan; Bill Kahler in Dyke, Jeanie and Dale Peterson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald “Judd” Kahler on June 11, 1983; her parents; three brothers, Robert Wiley in infancy, Corp. John “Jack” Wiley who died in WW II, and James “Dutch” Wiley; her niece Mary Groen March 16, 2019, and her sister Jean Harris on January 7, 2020.