David Kehren obituary

David Walter Kehren, 72, of Oak Center, Minnesota passed away on May 10, 2026 while visiting family in Marion, Ohio. David was born to Walter and Elaine (Corleus) Kehren on March 6, 1954 in Lake City, Minnesota. He was educated in Lake City at St. John’s Lutheran elementary school and Lincoln High School.
David farmed in the Oak Center area with his dad and later enlisted in the United States Army in 1972. He served during the Vietnam war at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and then was a truck driver in Germany before returning home. He continued farming with his dad and rented land from his uncle Ray Kehren.
David met his “forever sweetheart” Mary Jo Darcy in the fall of 1975 and they were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Bellechester on February 14, 1976. The couple lived in various places in rural Lake City and then made a home in Oak Center where they raised a family and continued farming. David was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake City.
David loved farming and was very blessed to have an amazing, caring family to support him. David loved the Lord. He loved to tell his family, friends, and people along the path about Jesus. His generosity, kindness, and hospitality were truly gifts from God. He will be deeply and lovingly missed by his family and friends.
David is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Jo; his children, Jessica (Carter) Smyth of Germany and their children McKenna, Aiden, and Vera; Miriam Smars of Oronoco and her children Finn, Vivian, and Erik; Matthew (Jessica) Kehren of Oak Center and their children Natalie, Noah, Mason, Tyler, and Madeline; Simon (Sunni) Kehren of Lake City and their children Kaden, Saige, Reid and Margo; James (Beatriz) Kehren of Oronoco and their daughter Isabel.
Also surviving are his siblings, Steven Kehren of Costa Rica, Joe Kehren of Lake City, Daniel (Sheila) Kehren of Lake City, Mary (Tom) Olmsted of Washington, Paul (Kelly) Kehren of Alaska, Phillip (Annette) Kehren of Zumbrota, and Ruth (Jeff) Lee of Oak Center. His in-laws, Anna Darcy of Zumbrota, Barb (Merle) Halverson of Mabel, Mark (Jenny) Darcy of Mazeppa, Robert (Dawn) Darcy of Lake City, Dawn (Tim) Meyer of Mazeppa, Brian (Julie) Darcy of Mazeppa, Jeff (Pam) Darcy of Mazeppa, and Janel (David) Liffrig of Lake City.
He was preceded in death by his sons Johnathan Paul and Jacob Walter; his parents Walter and Elaine Kehren; his father-in-law, Donald Darcy; his son-in-law Peter Smars; and his sister, Joanne Osterlin.
A visitation with be held on Wednesday, May 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel. The memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake City with Pastor Robbin Robbert officiating, with burial at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Following the burial there will be a meal served in the church fellowship hall.
Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran church and school in Lake City.
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.schliecherfuneralhomes.com.