Walter Harold Koehler, age 73 of Terry, passed away on December 19, 2015, at the Prairie Community Hospital in Terry, after a short, but valiant battle with cancer.
Walt was born on February 3, 1942, in Tappen, ND; the son of Otto & Eva (Zeiszler) Koehler. He attended first grade through seventh grade in Halliday, ND. He finished middle school at Quinby Country School in Kidder County, ND, and graduated from Robinson High School in 1961. He attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, MT, for a year. On February 9, 1963, he married Linda Trask in Terry, MT. Starting at a young age, he worked various jobs, including farm work and construction. He worked for Dekrey Farms & Bowerman Farms from 1963 to 1966 in North Dakota. Walt moved his family back to Montana and started working for Sirco MFG in Missoula, MT, from 1966 to 1972. After moving to Terry, Walt worked for the public schools in Terry from 1972 to 1979. Walt then worked for the State of Montana Department of Transportation from 1979 to 2001 when he retired. Walt loved to work and retirement was not his thing. Over the next several years he enjoyed working in a variety of ways, which included hauling beets, working for Cenex, and driving gas truck for the DNRC to help fight forest fires as well as doing multiple other odd jobs. He truly loved to be busy and he learned how to build houses and was quite the carpenter. He built three houses in his lifetime doing all of the plumbing, drywall, finishing, and electrical. Walt loved hunting, fishing, camping, bowling and all sports. The Miami Dolphins were his favorite football team no matter what kind of year they were having. Above all, Walt loved his family and friends—especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the Eagles and attended the Community Presbyterian Church. He was the Terry baseball secretary for ten years, taught hunter safety for over 20 years, and was a volunteer fireman and first responder. He was currently serving on the Prairie County Cemetery Board.
Walt is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda, of Terry, MT; his son Koehen (Sebrina) Koehler of Boise, Idaho; his two daughters: Karie Thorgaard (Chuck Cross) of Roswell, NM and Kimberly (Dale) Heinz of Goodyear, AZ; his siblings include: Edna Wheeler of Billings, MT; Hilda Cordell of Billings, MT; Arnold Koehler of Great Falls, MT; Leonard Koehler of Butte, MT; Shirley Brusven of Steele, ND; Jim Zeiszler (Diane) of Jamestown, ND and Mary Ann Nore (Joel) of Cleveland, MN. He is survived by nine grandchildren: John and Kristen Thorgaard; Jeremy, Bryan and Laycie Koehler; and Elizabeth, Emily, Joshua and Eva Heinz. He is also survived by two great grandchildren: Bentley and Dusty Koehler. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William, his sister Violet Schultz, a stepfather Henry Zeiszler, a grandson Thomas John (T. J.) Koehler, and a great grandson Dante Thorgaard.
A memorial service for Walt will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry, MT. Internment will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie County Cemetery Board or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday December 22, 2015
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment
Following the Service.
Tuesday December 22, 2015
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
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Carolyn Kimball says
Linda, I am so sorry you have lost Walt. Find comfort in the years of memories you will have forever.
Jim & Marj Anderson says
So sorry for your loss Linda. Our thoughts are with you.
AJ says
My sincerest condolences to Koehler family. Losing a loved one is one of the painful things in this world. It is comforting to know that God deeply cares about us and would soon act to eliminate death. (1 Peter 5:7; Revelation 21:4) May you find comfort from these scriptures.
Christie Liles says
Linda so sorry for your loss. Walt was a good guy. We always enjoyed him.
jackie bremer says
Linda I’m so sorry to hear of walt passing you and your family on in my prayes. God bless you
Arlen & Alice Miller says
Linda And Family: Sorry to hear of the loss of Walt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Linda and family,
What a shock to hear that Walt had passed away. Will always remember all the good visits on the way to the lake. We also used to see him at the Short Stop in Terry for a litte visit.
We didn’t relaize that he had gotten cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are will you all. Our love and deepset sympathy. God Bless!
Love,
Glen and Teena
Darlene L. Strobel says
Linda and family,
I am so sorry about your loss and totally know what you are going through. May God grant you the extra strength and comfort needed today and in the months ahead.
My deepest sympathies,
Darlene
Denise and Jay Harvey says
Kim and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your comfort.
Denise Harvey. Miles City
Tom & Berny Buckingham says
Linda & Family,
We offer our condolences during this time. May You feel God’s warmth and comfort.
Cheryl Neal says
Linda and family,
I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.
Aletta Shannon says
Linda and family,
May time and special memories help ease your sorrow. Prayers for comfort in the difficult days ahead. Our sincere sympathy~
kent koester says
Linda and Family
Walt was like a second father to me, I will always remember all the great times we had bowling. He and I had a very special bond. I will miss my old friend :But I know he is upstairs bowling up a storm. He was a great friend and I will miss him very much. Linda my heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Mark & Donna says
So sorry Linda, You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry & Christy says
Linda and family
May the Lord comfort you with the sweet memories of all the great times you had. We wish we could have been there but will always treasure the fun times we were able to share with you both in Montana and Az. God Bless!!
Pam & Karl Rogge says
Linda, you and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Cherish the good memories.
Carmen (Hagseth) Dockter says
Linda and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Walter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Aliceann Carlton says
Linda,
I am sorry to here of Walt’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and dear ones with hope you find heart’s ease in coming months.
Aliceann