Paul Lavern Koehn
My dear husband, our father, grandpa, and great grandpa, Paul Lavern Koehn was born to Raymond and Alice Jantz Koehn on May 11, 1932 at Vilas, Colorado. The Lord graciously took him home in the evening hours on February 12, 2015 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 82 years.
His growing up years were spent at Fredonia and Montezuma, where he received his education. He responded to the call of the Lord and was baptized on February 3, 1946 by Minister David J. Koehn at Montezuma. His faith was precious to him and he left us with an assurance of salvation. Dad served his 1-W service at Larned, Kansas where lifelong friendships were made. On August 1, 1954, he was united in marriage to Sadie Marlene Koehn at Burns. Their home was blessed with 2 sons and 3 daughters.
Their early married life was spent at Halstead, where he was employed at Buller Feedmill. They then moved to Sublette and later to Copeland. He provided for his family with the various occupations of land leveling, custom silage chopping, farming, and cattle. He also operated People’s Café for 7 years. He then opened Koehn Service providing tires and fuel to the community. He found fulfillment in providing service to his customers, often going the second mile. Dad enjoyed the lives of his children and grandchildren and provided a spiritual foundation for us. He would often call and ask how everyone was doing. Even through his illness, we seldom heard him complain, finding bright spots in the situation.
In 2000 they moved to Montezuma, enjoying the many times they could be hospitable to those that needed a nights’ stay. One year ago folks became residents of Bethel Home. Dad was very appreciative of his care and was very close to the nurses.
Those left to cherish fond memories are his loving wife, Marlene of Bethel Home; Roger and wife Janet, Gentry, Arkansas; Beverly and husband Keith Smith, Ingalls; Carol and husband Dale Schmidt, Copeland; Linette and husband Linden Litwiller, Versailles, Missouri; Mark and wife Rhoda, Monte Vista, Colorado; 14 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three brothers; Leroy and wife Lila, Mead; Lawerence and wife Verna, and Earl and wife Geraldine, Montezuma; three sisters; Fern Jantz, Montezuma; Deloris Unruh, Halstead; and Valetha and husband Orvin Koehn, Burns. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Brett Koehn, and two brother-in-laws.
Funeral service will be held at Living Hope Mennonite Church, Ingalls on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Living Hope Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
