Montezuma - Jeffrey Keith Koehn was born on February 6, 1963, the first of five children, to Russell and Winona Jantz Koehn at Ulysses, Kansas. He passed away on October 27, 2019, at the age of 56, as a result of complications of an earlier stroke.

Jeff had a happy, secure childhood growing up on a farm in rural Grant County, Kansas. His parents remember him as an energetic, determined child, always on the move. He received his education at Red Rock School and Kepley Junior High School in Ulysses. At the age of 14 he answered God's call and committed his life to Him. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on March 6, 1977. He never wavered from that commitment and remained faithful until the end. He often expressed gratitude for his Christian parents and the influence they had on his life.

He was married to me, Pamala Mayeske, on November 6, 1983, at Fredonia, Kansas. He passed away eight days short of our thirty-sixth wedding anniversary. He was determined that our home would be a happy one with God as its foundation. Some of the happiest days of our marriage were the days each of our six children were born. Jeff could hardly contain his joy and excitement. One of the best times of the day was when we gathered for morning devotions. When guests were invited for the evening, he would gather us all around just before everyone went home to sing "Savior Breathe an Evening Blessing" and to have a prayer.

As a young married couple, we lived in Ulysses, Kansas, until the opportunity arose to farm in the sandhills of Lakin, Kansas. We became a part of the new congregation there. Jeff enjoyed working with his hands. He took special interest in gardening, planting trees, and building furniture. He believed it was important that his children learn to work and farm life provided that for his family. Our children spent many hours out in the alfalfa fields with him, helping with the farm work. They remember his dry sense of humor, his one-liners and going everywhere with him. We enjoyed many camping trips together as a family. Jeff was a tease and an entertainer of children. His children and grandchildren remember the tricks he would perform for them. Each of his grandchildren were special to him. His faithful commitment to God and always being there for us provided the foundation of love and security that still remains with us today.

We enjoyed six years spent in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Jeff often expressed the thought that the brethren there were more of a help to him than he was to them. He especially enjoyed humanitarian work and he used the many hours spent working side by side with them to establish meaningful friendships.

In 2009, we moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico. Jeff thoroughly enjoyed living in the mountains and being a part of the small close-knit congregation. He enjoyed the Spanish culture and made many friends there. He was called to the office of the Deaconry and ordained on November 1, 2011. He enjoyed his calling but spoke often of feeling humbled that the congregation would have confidence in him.

On March 5, 2018, while getting ready for work, he suffered a stroke leading to a very difficult journey through many complications and challenges. A year and a half later we gathered at his bedside to walk him to Heaven's door. It is special to us that he left a clear testimony the day before his stroke of an assurance of salvation.

Left to cherish fond memories are his wife Pamala; six children: KariAnna and Wendel Koehn, Katrina and Brian Koehn, all of Montezuma, Kansas; Luke and Katelyn Koehn, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Holly and Ryan Dirks, Cheraw, South Carolina; Taylor Koehn, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Kenia and Alex Hostetler, Center, Colorado; seven special grandchildren: Troy, Russell, Kate, Damon, Eli, Samiah, and Aubrey; his parents: Russell and Winona Koehn, Potlatch, Idaho; two brothers: Lance and Beverlee Koehn, Rector, Arkansas; Kevin and Micki Koehn, Potlatch, Idaho; two sisters: Monica and Marcus Durley, Homeworth, Ohio; Annie and Mark Stoll, Hardinsburg, Indiana; his mother-in-law: Bonnie and Dennis Wadel; brothers-in-law: Terence Mayeske; Greely, Colorado, Mark and Paula Mayeske, Fredonia, Kansas, one sister-in-law: Lisa and Darvin Koehn, Ulysses, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by two fathers-in-law, his grandparents and one great-niece and one great-nephew.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Charles Schmidt, Delbert Dueck, and Kendall Jost presiding. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Christian Service International in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.