Montezuma - Our beloved husband and father, Dale Ray Koehn, was born to Marvin O. and Clara Koehn on August 11, 1952 in Dodge City, KS. He passed away on the morning of December 19th, 2013, at the age of 61 from complications from a primary brain tumor.

Dale spent his childhood and adolescent days in Montezuma, Kansas, where he received his education. His birth mom, Clara, passed away suddenly when he was six years old. His father, Marvin O., married Wilma Harms on March 8th, 1959. She played an integral role in Dale's childhood continuing into his adult life. He loved her very much. Dale was baptized on December 13th, 1964 into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Minister Franklin Buller.

At the age of 17, Dale moved with his family to Rich Hill, Missouri where he helped his father on the family farm. On August 12th, 1970, he moved to Blacksburg, Virginia for voluntary service. Those years have often been mentioned affectionately by him. He remained in contact with the friends he made there for the remainder of his life. By the time he completed his service, his family had moved back to Montezuma where he joined them.

Shortly thereafter, Dale married the love of his life, Sharris Koehn, daughter of Henry and Corrine Koehn of Montezuma, KS on September 1st, 1974. To this union was born three sons, Kory Dale, Adam Lane, and Toby Clair.

Following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps in construction, Dale worked at building his own company. He first specialized in finish work and cabinetry while he grew his business. Cabinetry remained one of his favorite parts of the building process. Dale built his first complete house in 1982. He proceeded to design and build many different structures including remodels, additions, sheds, and new homes in and around the Montezuma area. Dale established a reputation of unique design and well-built homes. He was especially talented at drawing and designing homes. Dale spent countless hours at the drawing board and later behind the computer coming up with new design ideas. It was his life's work and passion.

In 2000, Dale took a job in Albuquerque, New Mexico to pursue his dream of architecture. There he learned many new approaches to home design and grew as an architect. A year later, he and his family moved back to Montezuma where he took a job supervising two school additions in the area. After those projects, Dale took a job in Montrose, Colorado, drawing for several different companies. He eventually took a job as maintenance foreman for several elegant vacation homes in the San Juan Mountains near Ridgway, Colorado. The outdoor lifestyle was one that he enjoyed thoroughly. Hiking, biking, skiing, and any other outdoor activity he could do in the mountains was a pure delight of his. He was absolutely full of life. Dale loved the mountains and his time spent there with his family was one of the highlights of his life.

In 2009, he accepted a position as a home designer in Hickory, North Carolina. Due to economic conditions, he moved back to his home town of Montezuma to do what he loved, draw and build. For the last three and a half years of his life, he worked with his three sons on numerous home design and remodel projects in the Montezuma area.

Dale was a quiet person who had a very dry sense of humor. Often it was hard to tell when and if he was joking except for the subtle smirk on the corner of his mouth. He loved spending time with his family and a competitive game of scrabble. During his spare time, Dale liked doing things for other people. He could often be found doing odd jobs for friends, neighbors, or family in need. He lived a very full, active life, with many years of outstanding health except for the occasional hand or power tool mishap. Dale was always the hardest working person at the job site; he was not one to sit idle for more than few minutes at a time.

On July 4th, 2013, Dale was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma multiforme, grade four, brain tumor. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation for the following six weeks. He did not complain and bravely fought the good fight until the very last minute. Dale was not one to give up easily. He was reaccepted into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on November 7, 2013. He passed away on December 19th, 2013 at his home with his wife and sons present at his bedside.

Those of us who are left to remember Dale are the love of his life Sharris, three sons, Kory and wife Jamie Koehn, Adam Koehn, and Toby Koehn, all of Montezuma; sister, Marilyn and husband Loren Classen, of DeRidder, Louisiana; twin sister, Diann and husband Marlin Koehn of Macon, Mississippi; sister Nancy Koehn of Montezuma; brother Max and wife Marsha Koehn of Ronan, Montana; sister Lorna and husband Glen Yost of West Union, Iowa; and brother Randy and wife Rosalee Koehn of West Union, Iowa, sister Debra and husband Donovan Nusz of Montrose, Colorado. His parents and step-mother preceded him in death, as well as two infant brothers and nephew, Bryce Koehn.

Funeral service will be held at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church, Montezuma on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. with Ministers Charles Schmidt, Donald Koehn, and Edwin Classen presiding. Burial will follow at the Montezuma Mennonite Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Saturday, December 21, 2013 from noon to 5:00 P.M.. Memorials are suggested to St. Catherine's Hospice in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.