Leslie Grant Kohler

Leslie Grant Kohler, born to George and Darlene Kohler on 08/18/1956 in Hailey, Idaho in the old Fox Building where Hailey Medical Clinic was housed. He went to be with his heavenly father on 02/02/2025. 

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Darlene Kohler, Father George Kohler, brother Jimmy Brothwell, brother Fred Kohler, and brother Burton Kohler. He is survived by his sister Verlene Kohler of Bellevue, his sister Ava Kohler Lansbery of Illinois, and his brother Monte Brothwell (Patty) of Bellevue. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Cassandra Brothwell Mosman (Rory) of Parma, James Brothwell (Portland, Or), Tracy Scott Kohler, Kathryn Kohler Hooper, and Jeffrey Kohler, (Burton’s children), Patricia McLaughlin Crane (Travis) of Nampa, Dani McLaughlin of Boise, Dale McLaughlin Jr (Nicole) of Caldwell and Dave Kohler (Christine) of Montana as well as many great nieces and nephews. 

He was dearly loved by all. Les was employed by Atkinson’s Market in Ketchum in the produce department for over 39 years. He was disabled and could have applied for disability but wanted to make his own way in life. He made many friends while working for Atkinson’s and Atkinson’s made him part of their family, which we will forever be grateful for. He worked and paid off his mother’s house when she became ill with cancer. Les was an example we should all follow, never seeing people by the color of their skin, but rather, as a person. 

Les did not have it easy as a child. The school in the 1960’s had no idea what to do with someone with Les’s disabilities. They sent him to Blackfoot for evaluation and he was so humiliated by all of this that he never returned to school. This experience just made Les more empathetic, not bitter. Les loved BSU and went to several football games with his brothers. He had every sort of clothing that had BSU’s logo on it. After his great niece, Ember, started school at U of I, Les started to ask for things with the U of I logo on them and wore them to family functions where he knew Ember would be present. 

As many of you know, Les was known as the “Can Man”. What may not be known is what he did with the money he earned from collecting cans. One particular story comes to mind in which he bought flowers for all of the residents of the nursing home (Blaine County Manor) in Hailey. He donated funds to many charities. He sent the can tabs that he collected to Budweiser who had a program for children who needed dialysis, and it went towards kidney dialysis machines for kids. 

We could go on and on as a family with stories of Les, but we want to hear from you who knew him and have a great story to tell. We will be having a celebration of life for Les in the late spring. (time and place to be announced) In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice or to The Kiwanis Club.