Written by family . . . "Our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Vesta Koehn, was born to Pete and Clara Nichols Koehn on January 26, 1931 at Galva, Kansas. She peacefully passed away on April 2, 2020 at Pine Village in Moundridge, Kansas, reaching the age of 89 years. She was diagnosed with Lymphoma in April of 2019, which eventually caused her death.
Mother grew up in the Burns and Fredonia, Kansas areas, along with her 12 siblings. In these communities is also where she received her formal education. As a young girl she enjoyed spending time outdoors. At the age of 13 she gave her life to God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on April 5, 1944 by Minister Harry Wenger at Burns, Kansas.
On October 19, 1952, she married our father Clyde Koehn at Burns, Kansas. They enjoyed 66 years together, until Clyde departed this life in November, 2018. Mom was very lonely after this and longed to join him again.
We remember Mom as a devoted wife and mother, standing by Dad through the joys and difficulties of life. She enjoyed the household duties of cooking and nurturing a garden, and also preparing delicious meals to take out to the field. In 1981, our parents started the Koehn Bakery in Butler, Missouri. Mom spent many hours working hard to help make the business a success.
Our mother was a very hospitable person, often selflessly caring for others instead of herself. She freely expressed her love to those around her and in return was loved by many. This love for her fellowmen led her and dad to serve as missionaries in Jonesboro, Arkansas and Mountain Grove, Missouri. They also spent time in Elwood, Kansas where they served as houseparents for volunteers in a rebuilding unit. She developed a strong bond with these young men that would last throughout life.
She was a praying mother, always concerned for the spiritual welfare of her family and often sending messages to others who needed encouragement. After a lifetime of faithfully living for the Lord, we are comforted in the thought that she is resting in His arms.
Left behind with precious memories are her two sons, Dwight and wife Doris of Butler, Missouri presently serving in Hartford, Connecticut and Devern and wife Barbara of Rich Hill, Missouri; 7 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Chester of Walker, Missouri, Kenneth and Betty of Rich Hill, Missouri, and Willard and Merita of Moundridge, Kansas; 3 sisters, Norma Mastre of Moundridge, Kansas, Bernice and husband Galen Nichols of Isabella, Oklahoma and Vada and husband Al Boyer of Loveland, Colorado; 3 sisters-in-law, Noami Koehn of Moundridge, Kansas, Wanda Koehn of Burns, Kansas and Arletta Koehn of Moundridge, Kansas; 1 brother-in-law, Gordon Koehn of Moundridge, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
The family would like to express special appreciation to Pine Village and Good Shepherd Hospice for their wonderful care of our Mother."
From the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel . . . With the restrictions on the number of people who can gather in one location, it's going to be difficult to bring our community together when a death occurs. Visitations and funerals are more than just ceremonies--they are avenues to bring family and friends together to support one another. If you know Vesta Koehn or her family, a card or phone call to her family would go a long way in remembering her. If you don't have family addresses, feel free to mail notes or cards to us at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (1301 N. Orange St., Butler, MO 64730) and we will send to the family.
