Gwen Kahre (Brown}, age 90, received the much anticipated victory in Jesus surrounded by her family on Friday, September 26 at her daughter’s home in Carlyle.
Mrs. Kahre, as she was known to much of Messiah Lutheran congregation and the students she taught in religious instruction, was born on February 12, 1935, to Katie Eileen (Strautman) Williams and Robert Hilton Brown. Her stepparents Ruby Brown and William “Bill” Williams shaped her early life with love and laughter.
She married Robert William Kahre on June 13, 1953, and went with him to Deloit, Iowa as he did his vicarage and final seminary studies before being ordained into the Holy Ministry as Reverend Robert Kahre. They welcomed five children in Iowa before finally making their home and continuing their ministry at Messiah Lutheran in Carlyle, Illinois, in 1960. Three more children were born to them in Carlyle. Gwen is survived by Mark Kahre of Carlyle, IL, Tim (Janice) Kahre of Carlyle, Julia (Tim) Doyle of Leesburg, Alabama, Janet Kahre of Carlyle, JoAnn (Matt) Sugg of Carlyle, IL, and Kris (Mia) Kahre-Farmer of Troy, MO. She was preceded in death by her beloved Bob Kahre, son Bruce, a daughter Katherine, and a grandson Robert “Bo” Arvin. Bob and Gwen’s family legacy is blessed with 23 grandchildren, Heather, Ryan, Jessica, Eric, Neal, Traci, Tanner, Emily, Virginia, Adam, Kahre, Megan, Casey, Bo, Grace, Billy, Jerrod, Ben, Aundrea, Allura, Brice, Mason, and Addie; 29 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild so far; and her siblings, Michael and Peggy Williams, Patti Anderson, and Joseph and Anita Williams.
”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 was the verse given to her on her confirmation, and it became not only her favorite, but guided her actions to faithful service to her God she trusted, her family, her church family, and her community. Her community grew as she opened her heart and her home to so many of her children and grandchildren’s friends. Her home on Boulder Road became her safe haven after her Bob died, where she loved to host friends and family for tons of food and family antics. She loved to cook and serve and found so much joy in gathering as many people as the house would hold. She made legendary lasagna and Texas sheet cake. Gwen’s favorite hobbies other than cooking for crowds were sewing and quilting. She often had a quilt frame set up in her living room, and she quilted with the gals at Messiah, who became her most enduring friendships. Most memorable were the matching outfits she sewed for her children to wear at church every Christmas and Easter. All seven kids would follow her into the front pew at church in their new garb, and she would keep them well behaved by the sound of the famous flick of her fingernail.
Although Gwen held some jobs while juggling family obligations, her passion projects included being a hospice volunteer, anything with flowers, participating in Teens Encounter Christ weekends and being involved in the Agape House prison ministry. More than anything else, almost always behind the scenes, making nativity costumes, washing communion ware, driving Bob to sick and shut in visits when his health was failing, Gwen was always speaking the truth of the gospel she loved. Gwen would often speak of how Bob taught and nurtured her faith as a lost and broken woman to the understanding of how much she was loved by her enormous God. It is the faith in that loving God that Gwen found her identity and her voice. Her trust in Him was unwavering through some difficult times and it is that trust that called her to her heavenly home. Where once her singing was mocked here on earth, she is joined with the saints in the heavenly choir. Where once she dreamed of the feasts she prepared at her home, she is now enjoying a banquet feast reunited with Bob, her treasured family and mostly her Savior Jesus. God be praised for her victory!
A Funeral service will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Carlyle with Pastor Timothy Chase officiating. Interment will follow at Carlyle Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church on Friday, October 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Gwen are suggested to the Bo Arvin Memorial Foundation or to Messiah Lutheran Church and will be received at the service or through Zieren Funeral Home. www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
