Lorene Lovaria (Buss) Kehler, 97, of Holton, KS, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at McCrite Plaza in Kansas City, MO. She was born June 28, 1926 in Concordia, KS, the daughter of Menno and Elma (Smith) Buss.

Lorene graduated from Concordia High School in 1943 and from Westmar College in Le Mars, IA; earning her Associates Degree.

After earning her Associates Degree in Le Mars, IA, she met Harold and began her teaching career. Lorene and Harold returned to Kansas in 1950, where they both taught in separate country schools. She would prepare lesson plans for both of them every night. In 1952, they moved to Holton and Lorene taught in Denison that year. She stopped teaching in 1953 to raise her family. In 1965, she returned to teaching and had her son, Don, in her first kindergarten class. She taught kindergarten at Colorado School for many years, during which time she was nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year.

She was also a member of and very active in Evangel Church; serving on many committees, singing in the choir, member of King's Daughters Sunday School and the Aletha Faust Circle. She was also active in the Holton community, and was a member of PEO Chapter J, Music Club, Tourist Club and enjoyed having coffee weekly with friends. In 2018, she moved to Kansas City to be closer to family, as her eyesight had failed.

Lorene married Harold Charles Haber on July 23, 1950 in Concordia, KS; he preceded her in death on July 18, 1982. She married John W. Kehler on March 22, 1986 in Holton, KS; he preceded her in death on June 16, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Menno and Elma Buss; step-daughter, Joyce Kehler and step-son-in-law, Larry Maxwell.

Survivors include 3 sons, Charles "Chuck" Haber (Karen) of Kansas City, MO, David Haber (Laura) of Littleton, CO and Donald Haber (Connie Houck) of Jamaica Plain, MA; step-daughter, Mary Maxwell of Manhattan, KS; 2 sisters, Eula Patton of Birmingham, AL and Juanita Bair of Tullahoma, TN; 9 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Evangel Church. Burial will follow at the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the Topeka Rescue Mission c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.