Montezuma - Mary Koehn, 95, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Bethel Home, Inc. in Montezuma. She was born on March 15, 1918 at Isabel, Oklahoma, the daughter of Andrew and Eva (Koehn) Koehn.

Mary moved to Montezuma with her family in 1924. The family then moved to Lycan, Colorado in 1930 and then back to Montezuma in 1931. On January 26, 1936, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Minister J.E. Friesen. She and Jacob (Jake) Koehn were united in marriage on March 23, 1938 in Jetmore. They had 57 loving years together before Jake was called home on February 6, 1996. They moved to Copeland in 1938 and to Montezuma in 1939 where they made their home. Jake and Mary then moved to Macon, Mississippi in 1969 before returning to Montezuma in 1972.

Prior to marriage and for a short time afterwards, Mary worked in a funeral home in Cimarron, not one of her favorite jobs. As a young wife, she also worked as a caregiver and while she enjoyed this kind of work, she eventually found her calling as a housewife and mother.

At the age of 35, Mary was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and the proceeding surgeries rendered her unable to bear children. But some people are just meant to be parents. Over the years, jake and Mary were the foster parents of several children. Because of their love and dedication to these children and the profound and lasting impression made on each of these children's lives, many maintained contact with Jake and Mary throughout their adult lives. In 1962, they adopted Kathy Jo Koehn. No two parents ever loved a child more and Kathy remained the light of their lives.

Mary is survived by a daughter, Kathy Jo Amaro of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; seven foster children, Tawny Koehn, Becky Koehn, Jerry Koehn, Leroy Whitstone, Diane Whitstone, Carol Rice, and Sue Simonson; a niece, Sueann Koehn of Montezuma; and 10 grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Mary is preceded in death by four brothers, Willie, Leroy, Irvin, and Raymond; one sister, Lula; and one grandson, Alan Hinman.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Donald Koehn and Charles Schmidt presiding. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. and at Bethel Home in Montezuma from 4:00 PM to 5 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.