Anthony R. Kahler

Anthony Raymond “Tony” Kahler, 84, of Bancroft, passed away in March 2026. Born on April 5, 1941, in Bancroft to Herman and Laura (Lappe) Kahler, Tony graduated from St. John’s High School in 1959. He briefly worked on road and construction crews before attending Sioux City Barber College, graduating in 1960. He barbered in Algona and Lone Rock before opening his own shop in Fenton, where he served the community for nearly 50 years.

In 1962, Tony met the love of his life, Lael Pettit, at a dance in Fairmont, Minnesota. They married on November 30, 1963, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bancroft. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966, he served at Fort Carson, Colorado, and completed a tour in Vietnam from December 1967 to August 1968 with the First Battalion, Sixth Infantry. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1968. Upon returning home, he and Lael enjoyed a long-awaited time together before he began farming the family land east of Bancroft in the fall of 1968. He continued farming and barbering until his retirement in 2012.

Tony cherished time with his family above all else. He spent countless hours with his grandchildren, never missing a sporting event, and happily babysat them whenever needed. He looked forward to visits from his brothers Kenny and John, and his warm greeting—“you know where the beer is”—made everyone feel at home. He also found joy in mowing the lawn and admiring classic cars.

He is survived by his daughters, Kerry Kahler and Heather Vaske and her husband Chris, all of Bancroft; grandchildren Jordan Vaske and her special friend Jake of Algona, and Corey and his wife Hailey of Bancroft; great-grandchildren Laelynn, Emery, and Phoenix, and one on the way; brothers Albert (Mary), Allen (Deb), Kenny (Elaine), and John (Pam) Kahler; sisters Barb (Rich) Ruzicka and Betty Hansen; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Lael, his parents, sisters Donna Hellman and Shirley Kahler, brother Richard Kahler, and a brother in infancy.