Loyda Hohlfelder

FUNERAL SERVICES : Private family services will be held.SURVIVORS : Her children Arthur Hohlfelder, Jr., Suzanne Neil (Ron), and Karl Kahler (Elizabeth); her grandchildren Steve Hohlfelder (Tracy), Allen Hohlfelder, Theresa Hohlfelder (Tim), Arthur Hohlfelder (Darlene), Rob Hohlfelder (Nancy), Cheryl Hohlfelder, Eric Hohlfelder (Monica), and Jeffry Neil (Li); her daughters-in-law Jean Hohlfelder and Judy Matheny; eight great grandchildren; and her brothers Milton Smith (Margery) and William Smith (Margaret). LOYDA J. HOHLFELDERJune 11, 1918 ~ December 29, 2010 Loyda June Hohlfelder died on December 29, 2010, at May Creek Lodge, Walker, MN, of complications due to congestive heart failure. The only daughter of Loyd A. and Mary Etta Washington Smith, she was born on June 11, 1918, in Wynoose (now Olney), IL, where Mary was living with her family while Loyd was in France during WWI. Upon Loyd"s return, the family moved to Linn County, IA, where Loyda attended country schools. She went to Sumner, IL, for her senior year in high school, graduating at the age of 16. She then returned to Iowa and worked on the family farm and attended beauty school. She married Floyd Kahler in 1938. They first lived in Lincoln, NB, where Floyd was attending graduate school. They soon moved to Denver, CO, and later to Detroit, MI. They then returned to the Kahler farm in Iowa until 1954 when they settled in Rockford, IL. There Loyda became involved in Girl Scout activities where she worked at the scout camp and participated in adult scout endeavors around the U.S. After Floyd died in 1954, she worked in the Girl Scout office and continued many volunteer activities. She married Arthur Hohlfelder in 1958, merging two families that had been friends for a long while. Loyda and Art took a six-week honeymoon trip, driving to Alaska and back. In 1960 they moved to Blue Lake near Park Rapids, MN, where Loyda lived until her death. They enjoyed their outdoor life there with all the family and friends. Loyda became an expert on the plants and wildlife of the region, and, because early on they worked together to completely rebuild their home, Loyda also became skilled in carpentry, brick-laying, and paneling. Loyda was an active member first of the Emmaville Bible Chapel and then of the Straight River Bible Chapel and regretted very much the closing of each. She was long active in Conservation Club, Hospital Auxiliary, Bible Study, and Itasca State Park Volunteers. Loyda also loved traveling. Her ventures abroad took her to Europe twice, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. She visited Hawaii six times, and enjoyed her time share in Orlando, FL. Loyda is survived by her children Arthur Hohlfelder, Jr., Suzanne Neil (Ron), and Karl Kahler (Elizabeth); her grandchildren Steve Hohlfelder (Tracy), Allen Hohlfelder, Theresa Hohlfelder (Tim), Arthur Hohlfelder (Darlene), Rob Hohlfelder (Nancy), Cheryl Hohlfelder, Eric Hohlfelder (Monica), and Jeffry Neil (Li); her daughters-in-law Jean Hohlfelder and Judy Matheny; eight great grandchildren; and her brothers Milton Smith (Margery) and William Smith (Margaret). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her son Robert Hohlfelder, and her great grandson Tim Hohlfelder. A celebration of Loyda"s life will be held in the summer of 2011. In the meantime memorials may be directed to Mantrap Valley Conservation Club, 20097 County Road 24, Park Rapids, MN, 56470.