- Date Of Birth: April 23, 1921
- Date Of Death: February 28, 2014
- State: Nebraska
Wilber Arthur Koehler, 92, of Humboldt, Nebraska was born on April 23, 1921 on his parents farm in Nemaha County, Nebraska in the same section as his great-grandparents settled in 1858. Wilber was the 4th child of six children born to Albert and Caroline “Lena” (Johnson) Koehler. He was baptized on May 29, 1921 at St. James Lutheran Church by Rev. E. F. Geyer and was confirmed at St. James on April 5, 1936 by Rev. H. Brokering. Wilber graduated from the 8th grade at Prairie Hill Rural School District #46. He began to work on the family farm raising livestock and farming the land.
On October 9, 1941 Wilber was united in marriage to Iona Irene Ottemann at Martin Luther Church by Rev. W. Freuhling. Wilber and Iona made their home on the farm in the same section as the Koehler home place. They were blessed with four children: Carol Jean Lena Marie, Gerold Frank, Wayne D. and Roger Wilber. Wilber farmed with his father in the early years and later farmed in partnership with his brother Glenn. Along with farming, Wilber drove the school bus for Bratton Union Consolidated School from 1948 when Carol started school until Roger graduated in 1966. Wilber retired from farming in 1986 when he and Iona moved to Humboldt. Wilber was a lifetime member of St.
Wilber and Iona enjoyed traveling and playing cards with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Linda Koehler, granddaughter Paula (Koehler) Deisley, brothers Edwin and Clarence, a sister Lenora Volker, brother-in-law Lawrence Volker, and sisters-in-law Hulda (Alberts) Koehler and Verna Mae (Bohling) Koehler.
Wilber is survived by his loving wife Iona Koehler of Humboldt, NE; children: Carol (Willis) Oestmann of Elkhorn, NE; Gerold Koehler of Joplin, MO; Wayne (Marilyn) Koehler of rural Humboldt, NE; Roger (Deb) Koehler of Claremore, OK; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister Lela (Harold) Buchholz of rural Table Rock, NE; and brother Glenn Koehler of rural Humboldt, NE; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
