James J. Koehler, 89, of Seneca, Kansas, died Monday morning, September 26, 2016, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Jim was born on August 14, 1927, in Seneca, to John and Helen Koehler. He attended St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic School, graduating in 1946.

On October 1, 1947, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Alice “Sally” Sack. After high school, Jim and Sally farmed the family farm located northeast of Seneca until they moved in 1969 to Basin City, Washington where he owned and operated K-Ler Alfalfa Cube Mill and continued his first love of farming. In the Fall of 1976, he returned to Seneca with his family to help care for his parents. He purchased the Case dealership and some farm land and operated both with the help of his sons until 1984. At that time, he semi retired, but continued to farm until he and Sally moved to Crestview Nursing and Residential Living Center.

Most important to Jim were his family and his faith He was a lifelong member of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1769.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards and bowling.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Victoria, his parents, John and Helen Koehler, brothers, Leonard and Raymond Koehler, sisters, Rita Broderick and Mary Helen Lear and son-in-law, Richard Dalinghaus.

Survivors include his wife Alice of 68 years and seven sons, Steve (Peggy) of Spokane, Washington, Jery of Federal Way Washington, Joe (Lilly) of Dewey Arizona, Ray (Brenda) of Pasco, Washington, Eric (Stella) of Prescott, Arizona, Mark of Austin, Texas and Matt (Amy) of Prescott, Arizona. Six daughters; Pat (Joe) Schouviller of Pasco, Washington, Jeani Tackman of Ontario, Oregon, Mary (Robert) Haverkamp of Bern Kansas, Janet (Richard-dec) Dalinghaus of Seneca, Anne (Dennis) Vondemkamp of Seneca and Rita (Tim) Davis of Casa Grande Arizona; two sisters, Esther Proffitt of Seneca Kansas and Barb Buckley of Prairie Village, Kansas two brothers, Abbot Ralph Koehler of Atchison, Kansas and Ron Koehler of Independence, Missouri, 40 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 and 7 pm Thursday, September 29th at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am on Friday, September 30th at Sts Peter and Pauls Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church.