Elsie E. Kohler

Elsie "Ellie" E. Kohler, 88, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012 in Detroit Lakes, MN. Elsie Elizabeth Mattes was born September 3, 1923 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was one of six children born to Philipp and Elizabeth (Schmalenberg) Mattes and grew up on College Avenue in Winnipeg. On August 15, 1953 she was united in marriage to Arthur J. Kohler Sr. in Audubon, MN where they owned and operated Art Kohler Trucking Inc. Ellie and daughter Carole attended the womenchr(39)s U. S. Citizenship class and took the exam in Fergus Falls, MN to become US citizens in 1971. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon and rarely missed a Sunday Service when she was in good health. Ellie was an avid sportswoman and enjoyed flower gardening. She loved cooking, baking and most of her recipes were top secret; especially rice rolls and spicy barbeque ribs. Ellie made frequent trips to Winnipeg with her grandchildren, when they were younger to visit in the summers, and also loved when her family from Canada and New York would come to Audubon to play cards and have a good time. Ellie also thoroughly enjoyed her luncheons with the boys and their wives. She was a cherished wife, mother and grandmother who always put her family before herself. Ellie is survived by her grandchildren, Sheila (Kevin) Kohler of Barnesville, MN; Rhonda (Randy) Wilson of Detroit Lakes, MN and Brent Tingelstad of Detroit Lakes, MN; son, Arthur (Pamela) Kohler Jr. of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren, Lisa Goodfellow of Henderson, NV; Michele (John) Hatcher of Duluth, MN; Arthur (Deanne Dietz) Kohler, III of Audubon, MN and Grayson Kohler of Detroit Lakes, MN; sixteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; she will be greatly and deeply missed. Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, Philipp and Elizabeth, her husband Art Sr., her daughter Carole, her great grandson, Andrew Kohler, her brothers, Jack, Ralph and Phil, and sisters Wilma and Anne.