Montezuma - Robert Lee Koehn Sr. was born to Henry B. and Nettie E. (Unruh) Koehn on April 23, 1927 northwest of Montezuma on the Frazier Ranch, where he grew up during the depression and dust storm years and witnessed the hard times. He passed away on December 15, 2022 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 95 years.

He received his education at the North Lone Star School and at Montezuma High School. On October 24, 1943, at the age of 16, Robert was baptized by Rev. Frank Wenger at the North Mennonite Church. On May 22, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty Mae Koehn, sharing 64 years of marriage before she passed away on December 16, 2013. Together, they raised their family on a farm southwest of Montezuma.

Robert was a farmer and loved that occupation. He started with dry land and later moved into irrigation farming. Upon retirement, they moved to Montezuma and bought a Winnebago motor home and traveled extensively, visiting their children, friends, and National Parks. They often spent time in the Phoenix, Arizona area during the winter months. In his later years, Robert had kidney failure and spent 10 years at Fresenius in Dodge City on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for dialysis.

He was a longtime member of AOPA (Aircraft Owner's and Pilot's Association). Robert also served on the Montezuma City Council for one term and the airport board as well as the Montezuma Clinic board. He was a charter member of Faith Mennonite Church, later named Gospel Fellowship Church in Montezuma. Robert served on the Church Board as treasurer and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Robert loved gospel music. He was a member of Gospel Melodies singing group and later Gospel Gold.

Those left to cherish his memory are son, Cecil Koehn and wife Karen of Fort Collins, Colorado; daughters, Diane Koehn and husband Willard of Flagstaff, Arizona and Debra Koehn and husband Richard of Montezuma; daughter-in-law, Kathy Koehn of Montezuma; seven grandchildren, Joshua Koehn, Lisa Berg and husband Daniel, Justin Koehn and wife Alisha, Megan Benedict and husband Kelby, Tyson Koehn and wife Britney, Amy Koehn, and Sara Truong and husband, Thanh; 14 great grandchildren, Gloria, Josiah, Frances, Ariella, Jesse, Willa, Avery, Thessaly, Elsie, Rylee, Reese, Rowan, Elijah, and Ellie,; three brothers, Henry Koehn, Jr. of Montezuma, Pete M. Koehn and wife Joyce of Ithaca, Michigan, and David John Koehn and wife Janet of Dodge City; and one sister, Betty Rose Wiebe and husband Clayton of Durham. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; a son, Robert Lee "Bob" Koehn, Jr.; a brother, Paul Dean Koehn; three sisters, Violet Schneider, Helen Smith, and Mae M. Wedel; one sister-in-law, Corrine Koehn; and four brothers-in-law, Earl Schneider, Errol Wedel, Don Hotz, and George Hotz.

Graveside service will be held at Morningside Cemetery, Montezuma on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:30 AM with Doug Harris and Marshal Unruh presiding. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from noon to 4:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Fresenius or Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com