Our father, Jake W Koehn was born to William B and Kathryn Schmidt Koehn on September 26 1930 at Copeland, Kansas. Dad passed away on January 12 2026 with his wife holding his hand surrounded by family, reaching the age of 95 years.

Dad was the middle child of 9 children. Dad got his education at Sunnyside School ¾ mile west of the old home place. Dad spent his growing up years in the Copeland/ Montezuma area. The death of his younger brother, Junior, at 2 years of age affected him deeply. At the age of 12 he felt the call of God and was converted. Dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Minister Ervin Harms on November 8, 1942. He often made mention that he wanted to be saved. We plan to meet him in Heaven.

On September 28 1952 Dad was married to our mother, Ila Koehn. They spent 73 years together. They moved onto the home place. They had a difficult time making a living on the farm in the fifties. A lack of rain and low prices caused hard times. They ended up finding work off the farm to subsidize the farm. This brought them to different parts of Kansas and to California and Colorado. In 1968 they leveled their land and started irrigating. The year of 1973 they made a move to Cartwright, Manitoba, Canada. In 1976 they relocated to Victoria, Texas. Dad was involved in farming and land leveling. Work brought them to north east Louisiana for a few years. In retirement years, from 2000 to 2005, they spent in Murray, Kentucky, where many friendships were made. After that, they returned to Victoria. As their health declined Dad and Mom moved into Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas on January 4th 2023. So, they made a complete life circle. Dad had a soft heart for the unfortunate. He also loved to visit with anybody he met.

He was a firm believer in prayer. We remember him leading the family in morning devotions which included a couple of songs. He also gathered us together for prayer during storms and before trips asking for God’s protection. Through the years dad and mom did a lot of singing. Our family will forever be grateful for the wonderful care Dad received at Bethel Home.

His survivors include his beloved wife, Ila, Bethel Home, Montezuma, children, Margaret & Melvin Doerksen, Crystal City, Manitoba, Jeanette Koehn, Victoria, Texas, Chester & Cheryl, El Campo, Texas, Dwight & Tamera. El Campo, Texas, Lester & Camilla, Victoria, Texas, Lance and Karen, Pryor, Oklahoma, and Andy and Joyce, El Campo, Texas, plus 29 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren. 2 brothers-in-law and 4 sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his 8 siblings, his parents-in-law, 9 brothers-in-law, 5 sisters-in-law, one son-in-law, and 2 granddaughters.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Friday January 16, 2026 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Thursday January 15, 2026 from 1:00 PM. To 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.