Howard Wayne Koehn was born to Wilbur C. Koehn and Virginia Dirks Koehn on March 1,1950, at Bethel Home, Montezuma. He was called home suddenly on April 4, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of seventy-six.

Childhood found him helping his father with the cattle, farming, and singing with his sisters. He loved anything fast, especially dirt bikes, and later on, cars. He received his schooling at East Banner and Copeland High School. Responding to the call of God, he was baptized on January 12, 1964, by Minister Norman Koehn.

As a 19 year old, Howard spent two life-changing years working in a hospital in Albuquerque in lieu of military service. He loved the Southwest and always dreamed of going back there to serve again.

He spent six adventurous months leveling land in Mozambique, Africa. Returning home in December, with a deep tan and wearing sunglasses, he stole the heart of a young lady named Londa Yost. They married on August 3, 1975, and enjoyed over 50 years together. Their home was blessed with two daughters. We girls remember many early summer mornings helping dad change water, as well as countless hours spent singing together.

Although farming was never his first love, Dad tilled the land for the next forty years. Five years after we married, our house burned to the ground, and we lost everything. This tragedy ushered in the 80's, a tough decade. Things began to improve in 1989 when we purchased the two-story house we would call home for the next 30 years.

Dad had a lot of interests from antique cars to local history, and he was always "into" something. Perhaps, more than anything else, Dad loved to sing. He was blessed with a beautiful voice and touched many lives through the ministry of song, singing with numerous quartets. Howard and Sam Unruh Jr. began teaching music classes in 1983. His passion for singing led him to teach music in over 70 congregations across the conference. He loved leading the singing at numerous youth and singles rallies. He had a unique ability to get a crowd fired up and singing at the top of their lungs, an experience he called "flying".

In 2015, his dream of returning to Albuquerque came true. The following years were a fulfilling time of friendship and service, including taking his turn preaching in the mission church. He took this responsibility very seriously. He enjoyed volunteering at the hospital, and he was not afraid to talk and pray with strangers, sharing his faith. Dad lived his Christian life with a free spirit. He had a strong will, but when the stakes were down, he knew what surrender meant.

Although Dad's illness came without warning, he was blessed with a few short days to reflect and visit with us. His spirit was soft and he expressed his desire not to linger. God granted his wish and took him Home.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Londa; his children, Kara and Shon Unruh, Copeland, Kansas and Jessica and Eric Byrnes, Gentry, Arkansas; sisters, Elaine Smith Koehn and Twila and Richard Mininger; brother,  James and Sherlyn Koehn; ten grandchildren, Gracyn, Cassidy, Carli, Dawson, Dalton, Annie and Joel Becker, Jami, Laila, Landan, and Danica;  in-laws, Daymon and Marilyn Yost, Daylen Yost, Becky and Kent Nichols, and Jan and Brian Buerge. Preceding him in death are his parents; parents-in-law; a granddaughter, Reagan; and three brothers-in law, Jim Smith, Glen Smith, and Lonnie Nichols.

Funeral service will be at Salem Mennonite Church, Copeland on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Monday, April 6, 2026 from noon to 5:00 P.M. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.