Ken Koehler

Our Legacy of Love Ken Koehler

Are you married; engaged; or in a long-term relationship? Have you experienced fantastic highs and stressful lows with your spouse and children. Many of us have encounteed communication breakdowns. Over a fifty-year period the Koehler's experienced the gamut: financial hardships; career challenges; the teenage years; "at-risk" foster kids; resident in-laws; and other unanticipated adventures. Peggy describes these challenges as "Red Sea" encounters - when the waters begin to rise before we´ve made it to shore. Ken and Peggy share their survival secrets which include faith in God, prayer, and an abundance of love and laughter. Peggy says the key in any relationship is never to lose your sense of humor - at least at the same time.

Our Legacy of Love introduces Peggy and Ken, two ordinary people from diverse backgrounds, who fell in love; got married and somehow managed to not only survive the "Lion's Den" ordeals, but to become strengthened and more in love as a result. In this touching and often humorous memoir, they inspire all of us with their stories of devotion, tolerance, faith and triumph. Most couples would have thrown in the towel years before, but as Peggy wrote, "We had no choice but to make our marriage work. We couldn't afford to do otherwise. Failure was not an option."

Though written following Ken's passing in 2004 - eleven weeks after celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary, "Legacy" includes Ken's own words via his heartfelt love letters to his beloved wife, and the anecdotes he penned under "Kenfetti," a column published by a Southern California newspaper. Subsequent to Ken's passing, Peggy received hundreds of letters from those whose lives had been touched by this couple, however this one from her daughter's best friend sums up the Koehler's influence on those dear ones that crossed their path: "I wanted to write something special about Ken. But in my mind there is no Ken without his Peggy. Peggy and Ken, like Burns and Allen; Tracy and Hepburn, the names are synonymous. You can't say or think of one without the other. Their essence is one of unbreakable partnership, united forever. And in the eyes of this "other daughter," their love story is as close to perfect as any you will find on this earth. I first came to know Peggy and Ken in 1974, when I became friends with Jill in high school. Their home to me was a place of warmth, comfort, respect and acceptance. It was also one filled with love, great humor, tremendous faith, and a generous spirit that knew no bounds. The loving "Hi Sweetie" from Peg and endearing "Hello Darlin" from Ken still echoes in my mind today. I remember vividly how their presence in my life was truly an inspiration and haven in an often chaotic teenage world. Now, over 30 years later, I am still blessed with their daughter, Jill, as my closest friend and confidante, and the Koehler's as my second family. I am so grateful to Peg and Ken for embracing me as one of their own and for their loving influence in my life. I will cherish them both - always."

This poignant memoir is honest, humorous, and heartwarming. The Koehler´s life-lessons offer encouragement and hope for those of us tremulously treading our own unmarked pathway.

Award-Winning Finalist in Biography/General category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.