Lucile Kohler

Lucile Fessler "Snooky" Kohler, of 104 Firethorn Lane, Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home on Thursday, April 8, 2010, after a valiant fight against cancer. She was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Jacob A. and Lucile F. Fessler on May 16, 1935. After being the first female elected President of the student body at North High School in Sheboygan, she went on to Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, graduating in 1957. Subsequently, she earned a Master's degree in English from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. In 1958 she married John M. "Mike" Kohler, Jr. of Kohler, Wisconsin. After he joined Kohler Company in 1960, assignments during the ensuing 38 years included St. Louis, Kansas City, Boston, Kohler, Wisconsin, and Spartanburg. The couple chose to remain in Spartanburg after Mike retired from Kohler Company. Snooky was a dedicated volunteer wherever she lived. The mother of four sons, she served as a Den Mother in the Cub Scout program, and was a strong supporter of Scouting. When living in the Boston area, she wrote a column for a weekly newspaper. In Spartanburg, she served at various times on a number of boards. These included The Warehouse, the Friends of the Arts, the Art Association, and the Spartanburg Art Museum. She co-chaired the Docent program for the Art Association, and was presented with the "Docent of the Year" award in 1991. She also led tours for the Art Association and later for the Spartanburg Art Museum. The trips included expeditions to Ireland, Russia, and Germany. In addition, she was an active volunteer at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. Snooky greatly enjoyed travel. She and her mother and sister traveled together whenever they could, visiting various far-flung destinations - sometimes to attend cooking schools. Two of her favorite places closer to home were Pawley's Island, South Carolina, and Washington Island, Wisconsin. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John M. "Mike" Kohler, Jr., and by four sons: John M. "Jeff" Kohler, V, of Glenview, Illinois, along with his wife Ruth and daughter Elaine; Dr. Matthew F. Kohler of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, along with his wife Kelly and children Hannah, Seth, and Jacob; Andrew F. Kohler of Morris Plains, New Jersey; and Stephen J. Kohler of Glenview, Illinois, along with his wife Michelle and sons Jonah and Lucas. She is also survived by her mother, Lucile F. Fessler of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; her sister, Jacqueline F. Hollingsworth of La Canada/Flintridge, California; and her brother, E. Anthony Fessler of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, along with his wife Leda and children Kate and Colin. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010, at the Parish and Community Life Center of The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg. A service celebrating Snooky's life will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Advent at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, with the Reverend Stephen M. Bolle officiating. The family will also receive friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2010, in the Parish Hall of Grace Episcopal Church, 630 Ontario Avenue, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery in Kohler, Wisconsin, at a service attended only by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to either The Episcopal Church of the Advent Foundation, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or to the Spartanburg Art Museum, 200 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lucile "Snooky" Kohler please visit our Sympathy Store.