Koehn, Kent 1958 - 2024

KOEHN, ESAU, LOEWEN, ENSZ, GOUCHER, GIESBRECHT, SCHMIDT, HIGHTOWER, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/31/2024 at 14:02:23

My husband, our Dad, our Papa,

Kent Koehn was born on June 15, 1958, to Leon and Rose, in Willows, California. He was the oldest of 8 siblings. An unexpected heart attack took him from us on May 14, 2024 at Mitchell County Regional Hospital, Osage Iowa.

Dad’s early years were spent helping his father on a dairy farm. At the age of 12 he rode his bicycle through the streets of Winton delivering newspapers; later he helped in the almond orchard.

At thirteen he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister John Jantz on March 5, 1971, in Winton, CA.

He was 20 when he married me, Marie, daughter of Paul and Catherine Schmidt, of Winton,CA. We have shared the joys and sorrows of life together for just 6 days less than 45 years. Four children, three boys and one daughter were born to us.

For the first 13 years of our married life he worked for Foster Farms chicken plant. He owned an almond orchard and farmed sweet potatoes on the side. Later when we moved to Iowa in September of ‘92, Dad tried farming, including raising hogs. When hard times came he resumed trucking.

Doing things together was how Dad wanted it. Many of our occupations were of such a nature that we could work together. Pallet building was done by the whole family. As his boys were older all four of them trucked together for several years. I spent many hours with him on the truck. He and I built small animal traps. He enjoyed working at the True Value Hardware in Riceville, IA for 7 years. Here he loved giving himself to the community. It was his joy to fix those things others deemed impossible.

In the early ‘90’s, just prior to moving to Iowa, Dad reconsecrated his life to God. We as a family are deeply thankful for his renewed walk of faith. He remained true to these vows for the remainder of his life. Family devotions were very important. We remember getting up at 4:00 in the morning for them if that was necessary. Singing together, especially in the vehicle, is a memory we all treasure.

As each one of the in-laws joined the family we were embraced as one of Dad’s own children. The grandchildren that came along were very important to him. His granddaughters’ squeals of delight at seeing their Papa will always be remembered.

We share many memories of family time together. Camping was our favorite thing. When the children were young it was in the mountains of the great Sierra Nevadas; now the grandchildren remember the weeks we spent together along the upper Mississippi River.

For 21 years Dad enjoyed taking care of the Book Nook for the Lime Springs congregation. Together, he and I printed many wedding programs and calendars.

His hobbies included fixing broken things. Whether it was a small engine, or a grandchild’s broken toy, he always had many things he was planning to fix when he could get to it.

In 2016, we moved to Riceville where he enjoyed connecting with neighbors.

Our hearts feel shattered at the suddenness of his passing one day after his own father left us. How can we let him go so soon? Those left behind to mourn are his beloved wife, Marie. four children: Josh and Valerie Koehn, West Point, MS, Greg and Bonnie Koehn, St. Ansgar, IA, Amanda and Randall Esau, Riceville, Iowa, Clinton and Kristy Koehn, Mayfield, KY. 14 grandsons and five granddaughters.

Seven siblings, Connie and Rodney Loewen, Karen and Ron Ensz, Brenda and Ed Goucher, Wendall and Verna Koehn, Pat and Tom Giesbrecht, Tim and Donna Koehn, Ron and Ang Koehn. Mother-in-law, Catherine and Papa John, two brothers-in-law, Gary and Mary-Jo Schmidt, Fred and Roberta Hightower, one sister-in-law, Doreen Schmidt. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, and three brothers-in-law, one nephew, a niece and a great-niece

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Lime Springs, IA. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 21 from 6:00-8:00pm at the church and again one hour prior to services on Wednesday morning. Burial will take place in the Wayne Cemetery, rural McIntire, IA. Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database