Edward Paul Kahrl

Beverly Ann Parsons Kahrl (May 26, 1939-September 9, 2020)

When Edward and Beverly Kahrl were married, they promised only death would part them. That parting, when it came, lasted less than 10 days. Ed passed away just after midnight August 31, 2020. Bev followed on the morning of September 9.

Ed was born September 6, 1939 in Joliet, Illinois to Orville and Katherine Kahrl. His mother died when he and his younger brother Larry were very small. His father later married Grace Harriet Darley, whom Ed always called Mom. Two more brothers followed, James and John. Ed graduated from Joliet High School and worked at such various jobs as a shoe salesman, construction worker, forest ranger, milk man, Army reservist, and dairy plant manager. Although he never got a degree, he was endlessly curious and always learning. He was a self-taught engineer in the area of food-processing, eventually becoming Director of Engineering for Dannon Yogurt and later a consultant for such companies as Nestle, Yoplait, and Haagen-Dazs.

Beverly was born May 26, 1939 in Carrier Mills, Illinois to Brady and Narene Parsons. She was the second of four siblings: brother Brady Gene, and sisters Carolyn and Emily Kay. She graduated high school in Carrier Mills and moved to Joliet shortly thereafter, where she met Ed. She was a gifted administrative professional—she would say “secretary”—and was an asset to many employers across the country as Ed’s career moved them from city to city. She also worked as a Real Estate Agent for a time.

Ed and Bev were married January 31, 1959 in Joliet where their daughters Laura and Jill were born. In 1969, they moved to a suburb of Washington DC, where their son, Jonathan (JK) was born. They later moved to Denver, Dallas-Ft. Worth (3 times), Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Wayne, Louisville, Maryland (for a second time), Lancaster PA, and ultimately to Cedar Park, TX.

Ed and Bev were faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and wherever they lived they found a church home and built a circle of close friends. Many of those friendships endure to this day. They both loved to read, sing in their church choir, and go to the theater, museums, and restaurants. Above all they both loved to travel. Trips across the continental US, Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean, and many cruises created enough memories for several lifetimes.

Ed and Bev are survived by all three of Ed’s brothers, Larry, Jim, and John; Bev’s younger sister Kay Long; daughter Laura Davenport and her husband, Ted; daughter Jill Stutts; son Jonathan and his wife, Karie. They leave behind ten grandchildren and step-grandchildren as well as eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren.

Plans for a memorial service are pending due to the pandemic, but when the time comes there will be an online element to include family and friends who cannot make the trip.