Delores (Dee) Letkeman Kohler was born in 1924 to Frank and Katie Letkeman in Buhler, Kansas. She graduated from Buhler High School and, like her parents, was active in school and the Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church, where she was baptized and was a member. She studied piano, organ and clarinet. She attended McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas, for one year and Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas, in the summers during the five years she was a teacher. She loved teaching elementary school in Arnold, White City, and Junction City, Kansas. She met her husband of 57 years, John Kohler, while teaching in White City. John predeceased Delores in 2003. After serving in World War II, John returned to White City and owned and operated a garage and filling station with Homer Coons, which was expanded to include a TV and appliance store. In 1965, Homer and John amicably dissolved their partnership and John continued the TV and appliance business in White City and later established stores in Council Grove and Herington. Dee, a homemaker after their marriage, was supportive, helping with the book keeping and administrative duties for the stores and other business enterprises (laundromat, car wash, rental properties, offices and farmland). Dee and John retired, selling the White City Kohler TV & Appliance business to their friend Jerry Rogers in 1995.
Dee and John had three children to whom Dee was devoted. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. While her children were young, she belonged to Sans Souci and Kanella Clubs, holding officer positions. She also was a Brownie leader for her girls. She was a member of the White City Methodist Church. She loved family events, attending church and the activities of her children and grandchildren, flowers and gardening, religious and classical music, and baking. Her home was always open to the friends of her children. The dozens of loaves of breads she made for friends and friends and co-workers of her children were legendary, as were the May Baskets and Holiday plates she and her girls delivered to many in White City. Dee and John purchased a cabin at Council Grove Lake, where their son and grandchildren enjoyed weekends boating and swimming while Dee prepared the meals and pampered family and friends.
Dee was a constant caregiver to John for the last years of his life. A year after his death, Dee moved from White City to Overland Park, Kansas, to live at the Atriums for the last nine years of her life. She enjoyed being with the other residents and the many activities at the Atriums, particularly the music programs, movies, and swim parties she hosted for her family. She was always appreciative of the loving care and kindnesses of the Atriums staff.
Dee was predeceased by her parents, John and Katie Letkeman; her brothers Frank and Joel Letkeman; her sister Martha Letkeman Seyb; and her husband, John Kohler.
She is survived by her three children: Karen Kohler Clegg and husband Stephen, Naples, Florida, and Overland Park, Kansas; Kathy Kohler Falen and husband Mark, Olathe, Kansas; C. John Kohler and wife Jill, Manhattan Beach, California; five grandchildren: Kristin Falen, Olathe, Kansas; Jonathan Falen, Shawnee, Kansas; Benjamin Falen, Olathe, Kansas; Charles John Kohler III and Lily Grace Kohler, Manhattan Beach, California; and six great grandchildren: Peyton, Lydia, Katelin, Logan, Charlotte, and Bre Falen; and nephews Bill Seyb and Mike and Randy Letkeman.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Mennonite Disaster Relief Fund and sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.