Milford Lee Kirchhoff was born on April 25, 1930, in rural Athol, Kansas
to Lena (Kuhlmann) and Henry Kirchhoff Jr. On August 7, 2021, Milford
made his way to his eternal home in Heaven at the age of 91 at Smith
County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center, Kansas. Milford was baptized at
St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, on May 18, 1930 by Rev. A.C.
Fleischmann, and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, on April
2, 1944 by Rev. F. Efken.
Milford grew up on the family farm and helped his parents. His
father developed polio at a young age, so Milford had many
responsibilities from an early age. Milford served in the Armed Forces
during the Korean conflict from 1952 to 1954. He had many stories of
his time stationed in Alaska.
Milford met Marion Sasse at Luther League when her family came from
rural Hardy, Nebraska, to visit cousins in the Athol area. Milford and
Marion were united in marriage on September 28, 1956, at St. Paul
Lutheran Church in rural Deshler, Nebraska, by Rev. George Obermeyer.
Milford and Marion were blessed with one daughter, Carol.
Milford and Marion worked side by side everyday raising their
daughter and working on the farm. Milford loved working the land and
was always very good at “fixing” things. Milford was very involved in
the church at St. John Lutheran. Milford served several terms on the
Church Council and as Sunday School Superintendent. He also helped
Marion with the Funeral Committee for many years.
Milford and Marion enjoyed playing cards with their group of
friends, who never missed a birthday, anniversary or New Year’s Eve
together. They shared laughs and great times. The couple also made
many friends square dancing, as they traveled Kansas and Nebraska
following
their favorite callers.
Milford loved and was very proud of his grandchildren. He enjoyed
having them help on the farm. Cory said his Grandpa could fix anything
with what he had on the farm. Most recently, he loved being Great
Grandpa to Sawyer, Avery, and Lola. They brought him many smiles!
Milford was preceded in death by his wife, Marion, his parents, his
sister, Sylvia, and brother-in-law Lawrence Sasse. Left to celebrate
his life are: daughter, Carol Rahjes and husband Don of Kensington;
granddaughter Kelsey (Rahjes) Levin and husband Garrett of Kensington;
grandson Cory Rahjes and wife Audrey of Kensington; great
granddaughters, Sawyer and Avery Levin, and Lola Rahjes of Kensington;
three nephews, Glenn Sasse of Hardy, Nebraska; Gerald Sasse and wife
Cindy of Deshler, Nebraska; Galen Sasse and wife Melissa of Deshler,
Nebraska; two great nephews, Chris Sasse and wife Desiree and their
daughter Elsie of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Matthew Sasse of Deshler,
Nebraska; five great nieces, Shelly Sasse and significant other Brian
Parks of San Francisco, CA; Madison and Mikayla Sasse of Fremont,
Nebraska; Brooke and Claire Sasse of Deshler, Nebraska and many other
relatives and friends.
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