Matthew Kahler

Matthew Ryan Kahler was born on July 24, 1978, the son of Ron & Colleen (Swenson) Kahler in Carroll, Iowa. His family moved to Montevideo, Minnesota in 1979. He graduated from Yellow Medicine East High School in 1997. During high school, Matt signed a contract with the US Army. He arrived at Fort Benning, Georgia, in June of 1997. While there, he completed Basic and Advanced Training and Airborne School. Matt married his high school sweetheart, Vicki, on December 26, 1998 in Granite Falls Lutheran Church. As a military family, Vicki and Matt were stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina (82nd Airborne) and Vicenza, Italy (173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team). It was in Italy where Matt's pride and joy, Allison, was born. During his time in the Army, Matt was deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Matt was proud of his service to his country. He was an exceptional Soldier whose Troops would follow him anywhere. He lead by example as a Soldier, father and friend. As a Soldier, Matt received numerous awards including two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. Matt was killed on January 26, 2008 while leading his platoon on a patrol near Waygul, Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife, Vicki, and daughter, Allison, of Vicenza, Italy; his mother, Colleen Kahler of Montevideo; his father and step-mother, Ron & Shellie Kahler, of Searles; his sister, Patrice Kahler-Luker, of New Ulm; his brothers, Brian, of Willmar and Doug, of Chicago; and his step-brothers, Jared, Jessie and Justin Larson, his mother ?in-law and father-in-law, Linda and Ernie Streich; his brother and sisters-in-law, Gene Streich, Emmy Lewison and Maradee Ose. Matt was loved dearly and will be missed.