Montezuma – Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Sadie "Marlene" Koehn was born February 19, 1935, in McPherson County, to Peter B. and Esther (Unruh) Koehn.  She peacefully passed away at Bethel Home, Montezuma on January 13, 2023, reaching the age of 87. She leaves us to join the rest of her siblings.

Her childhood years were spent in the Galva and Burns communities, receiving her education at Liberty School in Galva.  She responded to the call of God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, by her uncle, Jonas B. Koehn on April 16, 1946.  She embraced this faith until the end.

On August 1, 1954, she was united in marriage to our dad, Paul Koehn, at Burns. Their reception was the first to be held at the church, instead of at the bride's home.  Dad and Mom remained in 1-W service at Larned for six more months, making lasting friendships.  They then moved to Halstead until 1959, when they moved to Sublette and later to Copeland.

Our mother kept busy with gardening, raising chickens, having butchering days with sisters and cousins, and selling yeast, milk, and cream.  She enjoyed having company, cooking at the café when they owned it, and later cooking at Bethel Home.  She also loved to make quilts, making each of her granddaughters a quilt.

In 2000, they moved to a new home in Montezuma, often opening their home to overnight guests.  In 2013, they moved to Bethel home, enjoying the time they spent there.  Dad passed away in February of 2015.  We as the family want to thank Bethel Home for the excellent care they provided for our mother.

She is survived by her children, Roger and wife Janet of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Beverly and husband Keith Smith of Ingalls, Carol and husband Dale Schmidt of Copeland, Linette and husband Linden Litwiller, Versailles, Missouri, and Mark and wife Rhoda, Monte Vista, Colorado; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Clinton Schmidt of Grant, Nebraska.  Preceding her in death were her husband; parents; a grandson, Brett; four sisters; and two brothers.

Funeral service will be held at Living Hope Mennonite Church, Ingalls on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at Living Hope Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Touch of Hope in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.