Wolfgang F. Kannler
Hartland, VT – Wolfgang F. Kannler, 81, died Thursday, March 5, 2026, with his family at his side, following complications of Parkinson’s disease.
Wolfgang was born August 3, 1944, in Geisingen, Baden, Germany, a son of Friedrich and Isolde (Drescher) Kannler. At the age of 14 he began working for a nursery in Stuttgart, Germany, where he discovered his lifelong passion for landscape design.
At the age of 21, Wolfgang moved to the United States, settling in the greater Boston area. He first worked for Heimlich Landscaping and later for Mahony’s Garden Center before establishing his own landscape design firm.
Wolfgang was married to Karen Rauser in 1969. In 1978, they built their home in Hartland, Vermont, where he split his time between Boston and Hartland while continuing his landscaping work. Karen died in 1991 following a battle with cancer.
In 1993, he married Hildegard Spitz in Warner, New Hampshire. They made their home in Hartland, where they have lived since.
He enjoyed working outdoors and found great satisfaction in splitting and stacking firewood, tending his vegetable and flower gardens, and caring for the trees in his forest. He especially valued the quiet beauty of the land surrounding his home and always offering a helping hand to neighbors and friends
Wolfgang is survived by his wife, Hildegard Kannler of Hartland; two sisters, Renate Kannler of New London, New Hampshire, and Brigitte Ungerer of Stuttgart, Germany; a niece, Sylvia Alberta and her husband John Alberta of Enfield, New Hampshire, and their children, Daniel and his wife Megan and Erich; and a nephew, Andrew Kannler and his wife Tracey Darling of Grafton, New Hampshire.
A celebration of Wolfgang’s life will be held at a later date to be announced.
Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction assisted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, New England Chapter, Attn: Donor Services, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126, or online at https://www.parkinson.org/.
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