Lillian L Kehler

Lillian L. Kehler passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones in Culbertson, NE, on February 5, 2026, at the age of 86.

Lillian was born on April 1, 1939, to parents Jospeh and Edna Pearl (Diebert) Corey in Eckley, Colorado. Lillian was the youngest of 7 children. Her father was a railroader, and their family moved around from Colorado to Nebraska. Any town the Corey family was at, Lillian had no trouble making new friends. Growing up, Lillian and her sister Eunice were very close, they did everything together.

Lillian married Lemoine Koebel in 1955. Three children came from this union: Alan, Erma, and Amy. Lillian married Kenneth Kehler on December 31, 1961, and from this union came along Kenneth “Bud” Junior. Lillian was a devoted wife to Kenneth for about 43 years until his passing in 2004.

As a young lady, she worked as a waitress in many businesses in McCook and Culbertson. Later, she worked at JCPenney for 30 years at McCook. While raising children, Lillian took night classes in Culbertson and received her GED in 1979, the same year her daughter Amy graduated.

After she married Kenneth, she moved to the farm where she raised children, gardens, chickens, and spent hours baking. Her children would come home from school and were welcomed with delicious desserts and meals like homemade cinnamon rolls and runzas. She liked taking care of her husband, children, and the home. On the weekends, Kenneth and Lillian would go to the horse races and would be hitting the slots.

When Lillian’s husband passed, she had a good group of friends that would travel around the state and volunteer around the community.

Lillian’s passion for Christ was also shown in her actions. She instilled the love of God to her children. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Culbertson for 60 years. For many years, every Sunday she shared the recorded church sermon and shared it with people at the nursing home.

Lillian will be remembered for always being happy, a Christian, generous, and a good-hearted woman.

Those left to celebrate Lillian’s life are her children, Alan (Theresa) Koebel of West Point, NE, Erma Koebel Monie of Columbia, MO; Amy (Bill) Evans of Great Bend, KS, and Kenneth “Bud” (Annie) Kehler of Culbertson, NE; 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth Kehler; and siblings, Vivian Dunlap, Kenneth Corey, Eugene Corey, Helen Gillen, Philip Corey, and Eunice Kehler; and granddaughter, Sunny Monie

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, are suggested in Lillian's name to donor's choice.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Culbertson Methodist Church in Culbertson, NE with Pastor Alisa Parde, officiating. Burial will follow in the Culbertson Cemetery.