Douglas Koehn

Douglas Dean Koehn was born to Leroy and Neva Koehn on September 20, 1960, in Ulysses, Kansas. He left us suddenly in the early morning hours on August 23, 2022. While waiting for his truck to load, he went on a walk, collapsed and passed away.

His family moved to Michigan when he was two, and dad started school here. At 12 years old, they moved to Macon, Mississippi. He recently reflected on how privileged he was to grow up in Macon, enjoying swimming and hunting. Minister Leo Classen baptized dad into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on February 27, 1974. His love for the church only grew stronger through the years. Firmin Geisbrecht advised Doug to meet a sporty Penner girl, Starla Penner, from St. Mary's, Ontario. They married in El Campo, Texas, on August 28, 1983. Mom and dad were everything to each other for nearly 39 years. After starting their married life in Macon, they moved to El Campo in 1984. Doug and Starla had three daughters and one son. As children, we are grateful for countless happy memories of dad. He liked going on trips and weaving elaborate stories for us. After the children left home, dad continued to take mom on trips and outings. While these were not always long trips, they meant a lot to both mom and dad. Their last two trips to see his daughters in Alberta and South Carolina will be cherished forever.

Dad worked very hard without complaining to provide for the family. His first job was at Wedel Farm Supply. After moving to Texas, he did carpentry work with his father-in-law, then later began moving dirt. In 1999, we moved to Victoria, Texas, where he tried his hand at farming fish. We moved to Goltry, Oklahoma in 2008. Here he had multiple jobs, including trucking, which he enjoyed.

Dad felt like he had found his home congregation at Goltry. Dad made friends easily and was quick with humor. The grandchildren adored dad, and he was proud of each of them. We remember him being delighted to play on the floor with the youngest grandchildren and tell the older ones stories.

As a family, we never doubted dad's salvation, and even though our hearts are broken, we know we will see him in heaven.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Starla; daughter, Amanda Mandel and husband, Dalys of Linden, Alberta, Canada; daughter, Marlisa Kuepfer and husband, Lance of Goltry, Oklahoma; daughter, Katelyn Unruh and husband, Brent of Bishopville, South Carolina; son, Dustin Koehn and wife, Jenny of Enid, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; his father, LeRoy Koehn of Montezuma, Kansas; one brother, Leonard Koehn and wife, Carol of Scotia, Nebraska; two sisters, Karen Koehn and husband, Lance of Pryor, Oklahoma and Marci Nichols and husband, Layne of Gentry, Arkansas; mother-in-law, Naomi Penner of Montezuma, Kansas; brother-in-law, Eldon Penner and wife, Theresa of Louise, Texas; sister-in-law, Shirley Penner; brother-in-law, Lyndale Penner and wife, Caroline both of Fountain Run, Kentucky; sister-in-law, Bonnie Koehn and husband, Jeff of Goltry, Oklahoma; many nieces; nephews, and lots of friends.

Dad is preceded in death by his mother, Neva and father-in-law, Denver.

Funeral service for Doug will be Monday, August 29, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Goltry Pleasant View Mennonite Church.  Burial will follow at Karoma Cemetery outside of Goltry with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.

Visitation with the family will be at the church on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. with memories to follow at 7:00 p.m.  www.lanmanmemorials.com   Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.