Herbert Calvin Gahler was born on May 23, 1928, in Freeborn Township, Waseca County, Minnesota. He was the son of Herman and Laura (Roeker) Gahler. Herb was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed as a youth. He received his education at area rural schools in Waseca County and was a graduate of Waldorf High School.
In 1950, Herb was drafted into the United States Army. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1952.
On April 29, 1967, Herb was united in marriage to Betty Buswell at First Lutheran Church in Butterfield, Minnesota. After their marriage the couple resided in Butterfield, where Herb was employed as the Chief of Police. In July of 1967, they moved to Gaylord. He was employed as the Chief of Police for the City of Gaylord, retiring in 1986. Herb was also a First Responder and assisted the fire fighters. After retirement, he worked for Len’s Service and delivered pizzas for Jonio’s and Jimmy’s Pizza in Gaylord. He also volunteered at the Food Shelf as the director in Gaylord. He also taught snowmobile training, firearm safety training and motorcycle training.
Herb was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord. He enjoyed gardening and grew the best tomatoes in the world! His favorite toy was his John Deere tractor. He enjoyed repairing clocks, woodworking, walking his dogs, fishing, listening to polka music, and tilling gardens. He was a professional tinkerer and handy man. He especially loved spending time with his family.
Herb is survived by his wife, Betty Gahler of Gaylord; children Monica Geisdorf of Hutchinson, MN; Darrel Tollefson and his wife Connie of Rothsay, MN; Janet Frauendienst and her fiance’ Mike Callais of Lester Prairie, MN; Deborah Sullivan of MN; Cheryl Wallace and her husband Robert of Jordan, MN; and Pam Abrams and her husband Scott of Gaylord, MN; 28 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; siblings Wilbert Gahler and his wife Carol of Janesville, MN; Anita Risto of Waseca, MN; Ernest Gahler and his wife Betty of Janesville, MN; and Beatrice Tiegs and her husband Elmer of LeSueur, MN; brother-in-law Arthur Buswell of Ladysmith, WI; his three dachshunds Itsy Bitz, Ozzy and Charlie; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Herb was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Laura Gahler; nephews Ralph Risto in infandy, Matthew Gahler and Eugene Hanson; niece Janet Hanson; brothers-in-law Alfred Risto and Leonard Hanson; mother-in-law and father-in-law Con and Alma Buswell; sisters-in-law Frances Hanson and Ethel Buswell; and great niece Laura Ann in infancy.
Herb passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 at the Sibley Medical Center in Arlington, MN, at the age of 84 years and was given Christian burial Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.