Chris Ellen Kahler, aged 68, passed away on February 7th, 2022, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN after suffering injuries from a fall in her home. She passed peacefully with her husband, son, stepson, and daughter in law by her side. She was born on July 20th 1953, in Memphis, TN. Preceded in death by her brother, Richard Allen Hoppe, Chris was the youngest and only surviving child of Jean Allen Hoppe and Richard Glen Hoppe. She has been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the last 35+ years and has served in many capacities within the church during that time.
A memorial service will be held on February 12, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 643 Bishop Road, Holly Springs MS at 2pm.
Chris was a graduate from White Station High School in 1971 where she was a part of the schools Bowling Team and Glee Club. From there Chris went on to become a nurse graduating from Memphis Area Vocational Technical in 1979. For Chris, nursing was more than a job; it was a part of who she was and her passion. She retired from nursing after 39 years, but she never retired from sharing her nursing advice and medical experience with others in need. She selflessly cared for many members of our family in the final days of their lives. Using her medical training and making them comfortable, she was by their side as they passed peacefully from this earth and into the arms of their Heavenly Father.
It was while working as a nurse Chris met her husband, Hunter Dale Kahler. They married in 1982 in Bryan Texas. Upon marrying Hunter, Chris became a stepmom to his children, Kimberly, Krystal and Joshua. In 1983, Chris and Hunter welcomed their baby boy, Richard Hunter Kahler, into the world and he instantly became the pride and joy of his mother’s heart. While their kids were growing up Chris could be found at football games watching her stepson Josh, or working the concession stands at games and running corner carwashes to support her stepdaughters cheerleading. She loved taking the boys to the BMX track and celebrating Rick and Josh in their bike racing and of course being at the Hockey Rink and yelling at the team Rick was playing against. Chris was always there in the background helping and doing things so that her kids could experience and pursue their interest.
She enjoyed many hobbies as well over the years some of which includes camping and swimming with her brother before he passed, painting and cross stich. She loved to read novels and shoot guns. Her kids will never forget her love for music and the sounds of Whitney Houston, George Michael and Bryan Adams filling their home as children.
Chris was also an avid animal lover and has passed that love down to (most of) her kids and grandkids. At the age of 53, Chris began racing Mini Stock Cars at Riverside Speedway and enjoyed that hobby until her health prevented her from racing.Of all the years of Chris’ life on this earth and the things she accomplished and all she was a part of, her kids all agree that her greatest joy was found with her 14 grandchildren. The relationship that each one of them had with their Nana was special and will always be a part of their hearts. Especially Braxton and Piper who lived next door to their Nana and spent most of their days by her side. Like all of us, Chris was not a perfect person, but she was a person that tried her best at this life. She will be missed greatly by her family, and we will choose to hold our memories of her fondly.
Chris is survived by her mother, Jean Allen Hoppe (94 years old), her husband of 39 years, Hunter Dale Kahler of Holly Springs, her son, Richard Hunter Kahler (38), his wife Christina Deanna Kahler (38) and their children, Braxton Hunter Kahler (11) and Piper McKinsey Kahler (5) of Holly Springs. Her stepdaughter, Kimberly Renee Rogers (46) and her husband, Alfred Cody Rogers (48) and their children; Anthony Hunter Rogers (27), Camden Cody Rogers (20) and Lillie Reese Rogers (15) of Arlington, TN. Stepdaughter, Krystal Kahler Emmons (42) her husband, Justin DeWayne Emmons (39) and their children Lyndon Cole DeFir (24) and husband, Zachary Michael DeFir (23), Hunter Allen Durfee (19), Layla Beth Emmons (11), Noah Chandler Emmons (10) and Lucy Grace Emmons (1) of Bartlett, TN. Stepson, Joshua Glen Kahler (40), his wife April Lynn Kahler (31), and their children; Joshua Lynn Kahler (16), Adison Jewel Kahler (14), Lydia Renee Kahler (10) and Madelyn Elizabeth Kahler (5). In place of flowers the family asks that gifts be given to St. Jude in her honor and memory of her brother who was treated there before passing from cancer in 1977 at the age of 22.