Montezuma - Arden Ray Koehn was born to Mano and Mabel (Dirks) Koehn on June 28, 1950, at Montezuma, Kansas. He slipped so quickly away from us on August 25, 2023, at the age of 73.

Dad grew up northwest of Montezuma, the youngest of seven children, where he milked cows and worked on the family farm. He was born again and baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on December 8, 1963, remaining faithful to his commitment. Because of his mother's ill health, his sister, Karen, filled a special place in his life. His mother passed away when he was fifteen.

Arden received his education in the Montezuma school system. After graduating from high school, he moved to Central Kansas where he worked at Skyline. He attended the Hesston congregation where he met me, Viola Unruh. We were married on November 19, 1972 and enjoyed 50 years together. To this union were born two daughters and one son.

Dad's two years of 1W service were spent in Haiti where he quickly became proficient in the Haitian language and wrote the first Creole dictionary, which was used by many following missionaries. After returning to Kansas, he married our mother. In 1979, he returned to Haiti with his little family. We have many happy memories of the five years in Chambellan and the two years in Valere. Dad remained interested in the Haiti work for the rest of his life, serving many years on the Haitian proofreading committee. He returned in 2010 to translate for the cleanup workers after the earthquake.

The last 15 years our parents attended Dodge City mission where they found fulfillment and made many friends.

Dad provided for us by farming and working at ADM until his retirement. He was a steady, patient man that didn't complain even when his disability kept him from being able to do many things that he used to enjoy. He enjoyed singing with and for his family. He knew so many silly songs, and we would beg him to sing them again and again. A very special family trip took us to the west coast to visit his sister Marcia and Uncle Cecil, and other friends along the way.

We are grateful for the many good memories and the security he provided his family. His passing will leave a hole no one else can fill.

His survivors include his wife, Viola; three children: Angela and Les Troyer, Dalton, Ohio; Tamara and James Smith, Ingalls, Kansas; and Russell and Amanda Koehn, Siloam Springs, Arkansas; twelve grandchildren; siblings: Verna and Lawrence Koehn, and Karen and Archie Holdeman; sisters-in-law: Verna Mae Koehn, Carol Koehn, Deloris Nikkel, and Leona Unruh; and one brother-in-law, Stanley Unruh. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, his parents-in-law, three brothers, one sister, and three brothers-in-law.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 10:30AM with Ministers Linford Holdeman, Myron Nightingale, and Charles Schmidt presiding.  Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 from noon to 5:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to the Dodge City Mennonite Church in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.