Mary Pat Kahler

Mary Pat Kahler, age 81, of Williamsburg, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019 at her home, in Williamsburg.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Friday, January 18th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. A memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home is providing the family with cremation and burial services.

Mary Patricia Kahler was born on September 10 ^th , 1937, in Williamsburg, IA to parents Robert and Lucille (Sierck) Beilstein.  She graduated Williamsburg High School in 1955 and married Donald Kahler on July 12 ^th , 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg. They were blessed with two children: Timothy Joseph and Patricia Marie.

Mary attended Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA, and worked as an administrative assistant for several years until she decided to dedicate her life to helping others.  Humbled and enlightened by her own recovery, Mary served as a substance abuse counselor helping countless people on their journey to recovery. She started as a counselor at MECCA in Marengo and Anamosa, IA, before moving to Arizona where she took a position at Meadows Treatment & Rehabilitation Center in Wickenburg.

Following nearly two decades as a counselor, Mary returned to Iowa and continued her selfless service to others.  She took a position as a Supported Living Supervisor with Systems Unlimited, Inc., where for over twenty years she provided daily living support delivered with love and compassion to adults with developmental disabilities.

Mary’s professional life was rooted in service to others, but if asked about her greatest purpose, she would undoubtedly answer – helping raise and love her three remarkable granddaughters to be the people they are today.  Mary adored her family, loved to spoil her children, grandchildren, and over the past seven years; her great grandchildren. She loved being on the beach where some of her favorite memories involved visiting Tim in California.  Keeping up with products on QVC, trips to the casino with her daughter Patty and great friend Patty Parker, and cheering on her Iowa Hawkeyes every Saturday are a few of her favorite past times. Always a small-town person at heart, anyone around Williamsburg could identify Mary from a mile away in her tan Chevy Citation, stopping at Fast Stop for her Salem Ultra Lite 100s.  She recently enjoyed reconnecting with her childhood friend Mary Ellen (Cash) Montross.

A warm and gentle person, Mary’s empathy and compassion for everyone are qualities of hers to be celebrated and shared.  She lived a life of wondrous grace – accepting all for who they are, dedicating herself to others, and always reminding us of God’s plan and life’s most precious meanings.

Mary Pat is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Lucille, her nephew Bradley Beilstein, and special friends Patty Parker and Bill Schwartz.

She is survived by her children Timothy Kahler (North Hollywood, CA) and Patricia Meade (Williamsburg, IA); her three granddaughters, Laura Cortese (Vic - Philadelphia, PA), Sara Meade (Gabe Decker - Williamsburg, IA), and Emily Meade (Cedar Rapids); her three great-grandsons, Landon, Grant, and Luke; two brothers Robert (Linda) Beilstein (Fort Mill, SC), and Michael Beilstein (Iowa City, IA); nieces and nephews: Jennifer Scagnoli (Tom), Blake Beilstein (Sara), and Lance Beilstein; her guys Duane Jones, Gary Ruegsegger, and Bob Blaha ; and dear friends Mary (Parker) Bronemann and Humphrey Mwangi.