Mary Kehler

Mary (Maria) Kehler, our mom, age 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Meadows, Swift Current, SK. Mom was born on February 23, 1927 to Abram & Sara (Suderman) Peters on a farm near McMahon, SK.

She spent her growing up years with eight sisters and one brother. She worked on the farm, cooked, baked, knitted, crocheted, and became an amazing seamstress. She also spent much time helping out with her sister who had Down’s Syndrome.

Mary met Jacob Kehler and married our dad in 1952. She loved him dearly and cherished the years they had together. They were blessed with four children — Johnnie, Richard, Dianne, and Eldon. Mom and dad farmed together. They started out in Schoenfeld, SK then moved to the farm five miles south of Wymark, SK. Later, mom lived in Blumenort, SK and Swift Current. Her final home was the Meadows, where she received the care she needed at that time.

In her 30’s and middle-aged years, mom struggled through a number of hard situations. She lost two very dear sisters, her parents had passed away too young, but then our dad passed away as the result of a farming accident, leaving her a 41-year-old widow. Mom was a strong woman and her acceptance of Jesus as her Saviour and resulting, growing faith became her lifeline.

When her youngest son was a teen, she sat beside him for two long bouts of cancer treatments, which were finally successful. Again, her faith carried her. She taught us all to work together and we carried on in the farming life.

Mom was very involved in the EMC Church east of Wymark and was an amazing Sunday School teacher. She also spent many years involved at Fairview Bible Church.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, Jacob, in 1968; her parents, Abram & Sara, in 1951 and 1952; her siblings, Margaret, Katherine, Helen, Sarah, Betty, Eva, John, and Anthony (in infancy); she also grieved the passing of Jacob’s siblings and their spouses, Mary was the last remaining Kehler aunt.

Mom is survived by her four children and their families; her son, John (Ruth) Kehler, and their children, Janelle (Jay Cousins) Kehler, Crystal (Ryan) Janzen (their daughter, Sierra), and Trevor (Kate) Kehler; her son, Rick (Lorena) Kehler, and Daryl (Sarah) Kehler (their children, Chase and Devin), Amy (Andy) Wiens (their children, Alem, Aniya, Ayrton, Arabel), Karen (Tony) Peters (their children, Braedon and Taela), and Bradley (Laurie) Kehler (their children, Jaden and Evan); her daughter, Dianne Janzen, and her children, Eric (Shila) Janzen (their sons, Blayse and Bruin), Donica (Yang Lin) Janzen, and Nikki (Peter) Tattrie (their daughters, Sophie and Violet); her son, Eldon (Anita) Kehler, and their children, Breanna Kehler and Andrew Kehler; her sisters, Nettie (Jake) Friesen and Jessie (Abe) Wiebe; and by many nieces and nephews.

She was a great mom — we cherish the memories and are thankful for the faith and legacy she left for us to follow, and that she is finally experiencing the joys of heaven.

The Funeral Service for Mary Kehler was held on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 2:00 pm from Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Paul Little officiating. “It is Well With My Soul” and “God Will Take Care of You” were sung by the congregation under the leadership of Notes of Praise. Special music was brought by Amy Wiens and Bradley Kehler. Tributes were given by John Kehler and Dianne Janzen. The eulogy was given by Eldon Kehler. Scripture was read by Richard Kehler. Russell Porter served as MC. The ushers in the church were Terry Friesen, Ken Martens, and Bill Martens.

To view the service, please click here. 

The Private Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from the Wymark EMC Cemetery, Wymark, SK with Mary’s Grandchildren serving as Pallbearers.

In memory of Mary Kehler, donations made to Gideons International (Swift Current Chapter) and Child Evangelism Fellowship would be appreciated by the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Kehler, please visit our floral store.