Ernest Kohler, 94, Benedict, died on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 am at Concordia Lutheran Church in Benedict. Burial will be at Bethania Lutheran Cemetery in Benedict.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 5pm to 7pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.

Ernest was born June 5, 1922 in Poplar Township, rural Benedict, ND to Christ and Karolina (Stelter) Kohler. He attended country school in Andrews Township, where he graduated from the 8th grade. After his graduation he worked for various threshing crews.

Ernest served in the U.S. Army from November 12, 1942 to March 5, 1946 and was in Okinawa at the end of the war. After he was discharged he took welding classes and crop rotation, which helped with his farming career.

On April 14, 1950, Ernest married Hilda Boger at the Zion Lutheran Church parsonage in Max, ND. Ernest and Hilda made their home in rural Benedict on the farm where he was raised and where they raised their 6 children. He lived on the farm until August 1, 2014 when he moved into St. Benedictine Living Center because of health issues.
Ernest loved farming and enjoyed raising cattle. He enjoyed the seasons with all the changes of Mother Nature. A simple pleasure of his was to drive the countryside and watch the crops grow and change color as they approached harvest.

Ernest was a quiet, good natured, hardworking man. He took pride in his work and wanted to make sure that he instilled these same work ethics in his children. He served on Concordia Lutheran Church Council, Andrews Township Board and the Benedict School Board.
Family was important to Ernest. He was always happy to have his children around him. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, especially at his home. His door was always open and inviting. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren and later his great grandchildren. He always had a smile on his face and twinkle in his eye.

Ernest's hobbies included woodworking, playing cards, hunting, listening to music, reading and cutting grass. Everyone that knew Ernest, knew he had a sweet tooth. He loved his sweets, especially pie. He was always the first one to "sample" the warm cookies right out of the oven.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we are thankful for the many wonderful years and memories. He was a wonderful husband and father.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hilda, Benedict; daughters, Trudy Smith, Peggy (James) Sigman, Hazen, ND; sons, Gary (Julie) Kohler, Terry (Mary) Kohler, Benedict, ND, Roger (Judy) Kohler, Pasco WA; son-in-law, Robert (Cindy) Petersen, Franklin, TN; 10 grandchildren, Becky Spence, Jesse (Kerri) Kohler, Megan Smith-VanKuiken, Bryan (Nadja) Petersen, Trevor Kohler, Justin (Nanci) Kohler, Jaime (Casey) Sabot, Linnea (Brad) Anderson, Ashley (Tim) Rath, Marcie Kohler; 5 step grandchildren, Dennis and Dorian Sigman, Michelle, Matt and Jeff Thomas; 15 great grandchildren, Taylor and Payton Spence, Brady Koller, Maisy and Cameron Cece, Eleanor Smith-VanKuiken, Kaden Petersen, Eliott, Reed and Selah Kohler, Hailey, Natalie and Kamden Kohler, and Emarie and Cason Sabot; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Ella (Ervin) Weishaar, Jeanie (John) Bush; sisters-in-law, Anna Kohler, Martha Kohler, Leona Kohler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Carol Petersen, brothers and sisters-in-law, Henry (Alma) Kohler, Otto Kohler, Gust (Elaine) Kohler, and Oscar Kohler, sisters, Alma Erck and infant brother, William Kohler.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial to Bethania Cemetery or the donor's choice.