A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael Kehr was held on Wednesday, August 20 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg. Michael’s family would like to extend special thanks to the Palo Alto County Hospice and the Emmetsburg Care Center staff.
Michael Kehr, 77, of Emmetsburg, Iowa passed away with his family by his side on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Michael Robert Kehr was the fourth child born to John G. Kehr and Ruth M. (Joynt) Kehr on August 31st, 1947. He was welcomed home by two older brothers, Joe and Bill and a sister Louise, who was his “Irish Twin.” In time, another brother and three more sisters completed the Kehr family.
Michael was raised in Emmetsburg and attended Emmetsburg Catholic School. He went on to become a lifelong truck driver, dedicating nearly 60 years to the profession. Much of that time was spent with Kerber Milling Company, though he drove for various companies throughout the area. His career took him across the United States, including trips transporting horses-even delivering them to the Kentucky Derby.
On July 20, 2002, Michael was united in marriage to Yolanda Alvarenga at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. He enjoyed traveling and especially visiting Paraguay, Washington DC and Mexico. He spent a lot of time at his shop working on antique cars, even though he wasn’t a good mechanic!
He enjoyed his 5:00 P.M. Happy Hour beer and took great pride in smoking meats with John Bredehoeft during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. He was the founding member of the Prayer Tower. Michael was a familiar face at nearly every Emmetsburg E-Hawk football game. He once owned the Shamrock Bus, which he drove during St. Pat’s weekend and in support of RAGBRAI. Family was very important to him and he enjoyed getting together with his siblings, nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
A lifelong member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Michael was actively involved with the Knights of Columbus, including the 4th Degree.
Michael is survived by his wife, Yolanda; his step-son Danny (Daisy Ribeiro) Ramirez, granddaughter, Julie Ramirez and a grandson arriving in December, of Fort Worth, TX, his nephew like a son Fabio Basualdo (Mavi Valentin), his siblings, Louise (Jack) Ryan of Woodbury, MN, Richard (Alice) Kehr of Spencer, IA, Jean Hilbert (Randy Petersen) of Wesley, IA, Jane (Gary) Hilbert of Britt, IA, Ann (Mike) Ryan of North Mankato, MN and sister-in-law Barbara Kehr; aunt Jenny Joynt, his sisters-in-law, Maria Elena A Basualdo, Maria Jacinta A Riveros, Nidia A Rodriguez, many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, Charles and Ursula Roberts.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his in-laws Desiderio and Dominga Alvarenga, brothers Bill and Joe, brother-in-law Larry Hilbert, sister-in-law Ann Kehr and nieces Katie Ryan Pomerleau and Lisa Hilbert.
