Frank Koehn

Newton- Frank Koehn was born into the Mennonite wheat-farming family of Cornelius C. and Agnes Koehn on March 1, 1916, at Duboise, Idaho. At 4 years of age, he and his family abandoned the homestead and moved to a Highland Township farm east of Hesston; then, successively, to Marion County farms 5 miles northwest of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel, and the next, 12 miles northwest of Peabody, Kansas. Entering school at age 8 speaking only German, Frank spent his elementary years at Pleasant Valley country school. Walton High School was the site of his secondary years. Frank was a mechanic and vehicle inspector for the U.S. Army during WW II, serving 4 years, 2 months and 10 days. Following discharge, summers were spent on the plains of the States of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas custom combining wheat. A few years later, he worked with concrete and did general construction for Norman and Kenny Wiens, Marvin Wedel, Dick Allenbaugh and Gary Curteman. During later years, he did general contracting. Vera May Hoyer became his bride on October 18, 1953, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Canton, Kansas. Son, Charles Scott Carle was welcomed into the family in 1966. Frank was baptized in 1936 at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, rural Goessel, and confirmed in faith at Zion Lutheran Church on January 31st, 1955. Frank and Vera were long-time members of Zion Lutheran Church at Newton, Kansas. They jointly served as youth sponsors for several years. Bible study and worship were integral to their lives. Their favorite seats in God’s house on Sundays were in the back pew near the center aisle offering a warm welcome and farewell hug for anyone willing or in need. A life-time faithful servant, Frank also served as a Trustee, Elder and member of the Board of Education. Gary Lloyd was instrumental in adding Frank to the Newton American Legion membership. Preceding him in death were his parents, Cornelius C. and Agnes Koehn; wife Vera May; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Glenn Eubank of California, Vic and Martha Penner of Emporia, and Walter and Nellie Esau of Newton; brothers and sisters-in-law Jake and Erma Koehn of Goessel, George and Inez Koehn of Newton; brothers Edward (in infancy) and John Koehn of Newton. Survivors include son, Charles Scott Carle; sister-in-law Ellen Koehn of Newton; and brother and sister-in-law Irwin and Donna Koehn of Blaine, WA. Funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Newton, on Saturday, January 23, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation with family present will be Friday, January 22, 6-8 p.m. also at Zion Lutheran Church, Newton. Memorials may be designated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Boys Town, Newton Salvation Army, Zion Pre-school or Zion Lutheran Church in care of the Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.

Frank Koehn

March 1, 1916 - January 18, 2016