RAPID CITY- Christopher George Kuehler, 42, was born on March 6th, 1975 in Yankton, SD. He spent most of his childhood in Yankton, SD before moving to Crofton, NE as a junior in High School. He enjoyed participating in sports as a child but especially loved wrestling.

Chris enlisted in the United States Army after high school and was on the Army wrestling team. He continued his military service after completing his active duty enlistment as a member of Charlie Battery out of Yankton, SD. He was deployed to Iraq from September 2005 to September 2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On March 7th, 2007 he married the love of his life, Maggie Kuehler. During their 10 years of marriage they lived in Yankton, SD, Des Moines, IA, and finally settled in Rapid City, SD. Chris worked as a paraprofessional and as a football and track coach in the Hill City Schools. Chris was overjoyed in November of 2016 to welcome his son Oliver Kuehler to the family. Chris enjoyed hunting, coaching high school football, and spending time with family and friends. He particularly enjoyed teasing his nieces and nephews.

In July of 2016 he received the devastating diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Over the next 15 months he courageously battled this terrible disease. In July of 2017 he entered hospice as there were no further available treatments. He spent 2 months enjoying time with his wife and son, attending football games, and enjoying visits from family and friends. On September 30, 2017 he took his final breaths just before midnight in the peaceful surroundings of the Regional Hospice House with his wife by his side.

He would like to remind his friends, family members, and all his student athletes to wear their sunscreen and get their annual skin exams in order to protect themselves from this terrible disease.

He is survived by his wife Maggie Kuehler, son Oliver Kuehler, parents, Norma and Steve Kuehler, brother, Mark (Jenny), his mother in law, Annette (Tom) Duffy, father in law, James (Becky) Fleming, brother in laws, James (Brooke) Fleming, Jeff Fleming, Jon (Ranae) Fleming, Joe (Darcey) Fleming, nephews: Noah Fleming, Wyatt Fleming, Colton Fleming, Jackson Kuehler, and nieces: Cambri Fleming, Lili Fleming, Kiara Fleming, Jersey Fleming, Madilyn Kuehler, Audi Cameron, and Parker Fleming as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Betty and David Sage, and Betty and Harold Kuehler, his uncles, Jody Sage and Darrel Sage, and his cousin, Brandon Nelson.

Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hill City with a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 at the church with Rev. Janusz Korban presiding.

Interment will follow at Hill City Cemetery with full military honors rendered by the South Dakota Army National Guard.

In lieu of flowers, a Coach K memorial fund has been set up at First Interstate Bank of Hill City.