Jean Marie Kahler

Jean M. Kahler, 79, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at a local care facility in Anderson, South Carolina.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church (3204 S Lakeport St, Sioux City, IA 51106) with a visitation taking place one hour prior. Her final resting place will be Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Jean was born on July 17, 1945, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Clinton Cletus and Leona Clarice (Linduski) Erickson. She received her early education at Trinity Lutheran School in Marcus, Iowa, where she completed grades K-8. She was confirmed on March 22, 1959, and graduated from high school in Marcus on June 13, 1963. Her career was marked by dedication and professionalism, first as a legal secretary for Stan Murger at Kindig, Beebe, Rawlings, Nieland, and Killinger Law Firm in Sioux City, Iowa, and second as the top producing sales agent for AAA Motor Club, also in Sioux City. On May 17, 1969, Jean married Orvin D. Kahler, however the couple later divorced on October 24, 1984. On May 6, 1989, Jean married Alvin R. Ehresmann and they were together until his passing on September 15, 2016. 

After retirement, Jean found joy in music. She was an active member of the hand bell choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church and learned to play the harp – her own harp she named “Alicia.” Her passion extended beyond music to nurturing, both in the garden as she tended to the earth as well as young talent as she dedicated time to coaching youth boys' soccer for her sons, Jason and Tyson. Jean was the first certified female soccer referee in the state of Iowa, a significant accomplishment that showcased her pioneering spirit and commitment to the sport. 

Jean resided in several places throughout her life, including Remsen, Iowa, Sioux City, Iowa, Jefferson, South Dakota, and at the time of her passing, Anderson, South Carolina. Each location held a special place in her heart, as they contributed to the tapestry of her experiences and memories. 

Jean is survived by her children: Jason and Shelli Kahler and their children Hunter and Dalton of Summerset, South Dakota; Tyson and Margaret Mary Kahler and their children Matthew, Mary, and Ashley of Anderson, South Carolina; and Mike and Lisa Ehresmann and their children Ethan and Ava of Grinnell, Iowa; as well as her brothers and sisters: Kent and Jean Erickson of Marcus, Iowa; Brenda and Ron Schutt of Shell Knob, Missouri; Mary Ann and Loren Romberg of Dalton, Minnesota; Susan and Chris Rallis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Dale and Linda Erickson of Lawton, Iowa. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Leona; her first husband, Orvin; and her second husband, Alvin.