Victor Herman Koehler VICTOR HERMAN KOEHLER We celebrate the life of our dear husband and father, Victor Herman Koehler, who was welcomed into his Heavenly home on Saturday, February 18, 2006, by his many brothers and sisters. Vic was born April 1, 1914, in Luseland, Saskatchewan, Canada, the sixth of nine children born to Frank G. and Emma (Lucht) Koehler. He lived in Luseland for 14 years before the family moved to Hudson, WI, then he set out at about age 20 to find employment in California. He was married to Sarah Amelia "Amy" McDonald in 1940, and remained a faithful and loving husband for over 65 years. He often said, "Work is a blessing", and he lived out that philosophy on a daily basis. How can we describe Vic? The first words that come to mind are loving, patient, kind, gentle and faithful. He was a strong and quiet role model who served with joy and truly epitomized the fruits of the Spirit. He proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. He was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church and remained active in many roles until very recently. He loved the Lutheran Church, and though three of his older brothers entered the ministry, Vic recognized that his gifts were in the business arena. He worked for many years as General Manager of Bearings Supply Company, and upon retirement, he and Amy enjoyed many travel adventures around the globe. He was a loving father and a doting "Gramps" who enjoyed getting down on the floor and playing with his grandchildren. He grew up on a farm and for the rest of his life had a love of the land. Though in later years, his farming consisted of a simple berry patch, he was oh, so proud of those berries! We will miss the delicious boysenberry jam and syrup that he so generously handed out. He loved a game of croquet with the family or a quiet game of Scrabble or Monopoly with a grandchild. For many years in retirement, he belonged to the Fresno Bridge Club, where he enjoyed the complexity and strategy of the game and the friendship of those he played with. Vic was preceded in death by siblings Leonard, Arnim, Margaret, Arthur, Frank, John Martin and Doris. He is survived by his wife Amy; their three children and spouses, Vicki and Glen Janzen of Fresno, Stephen and Emi Koehler of Pasadena and Clifford and Carol Koehler of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Sharla Seidel and her husband Mark, and Elizabeth, Andrew, Margaret, Megan and Kevin; and great-grandchildren Donovan and Garrett. He is also survived by his brother, Edwin Koehler and his wife Leatrice of San Antonio, TX; sisters-in-law, Hilda Koehler of Napa, CA, Ellen Koehler of Tucson, AZ, Margaret Koehler of Hopewell, VA and Lillie Koehler of Houston, TX; and many nieces and nephews. There will be a Memorial Service at Peace Lutheran Church, 4672 N. Cedar Ave. in Fresno on Friday, February 24, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. Private burial will take place at Belmont Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Victor's name to the Peace Lutheran Church Overflowing With the Spirit building campaign, 4672 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93726, or to Student Aid Endowments, Concordia Seminary Development Office, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105. STEPHENS & BEAN CHAPEL202 No. Teilman, Fresno (559) 268-9292Lic. #11 Published in the Fresno Bee from 2/23/2006 - 3/2/2006.