Helen Koehn

Montezuma - Helen Fricke Koehn, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, was born to Samuel & Katherine (Mininger) Fricke on April 23, 1933 at Perico, Texas. On the evening of September 29, 2025, the angels came and peacefully took her home with all her children gathered around her bedside. She reached the age of 92 years, five months, and six days.

Mom's life started in Perico, Texas. Due to the dust storms, they, as a family, moved to Greensburg, KS, where she started her education. She loved to reminisce about her childhood memories of all the good times she had with her siblings and many friends. In 1944, her father was called to pastor the Cimarron Congregation, where, at the age of 11, she answered God's call to salvation and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by her grandfather, Fred C. Fricke.

On February 22, 1953, she married our Father, Ervie Koehn, at Cimarron, KS. They started married life in the Ingalls, KS community, sharing the joys and sorrows of life together for 53 years. Their home was blessed with five sons and four daughters.

When Dad was ordained to the deaconry on January 24, 1964, Mom faithfully fulfilled her duties supporting his calling. The time they spent in Navajo Land was a special time to Mom. In April of 1971, Dad and Mom moved to Pincher Creek, Alberta to help the small congregation there. They made many acquaintances and lasting friendships which she cherished dearly and kept in contact with them the rest of her life. In 1980 Dad and Mom moved back to Ingalls, where she really enjoyed being close to her dear Mother and family. In April of 2002, Dad and Mom moved to Hartley, Texas, spending a few retirement years close to some family, where Dad passed in March of 2006. Through Dad's sickness, she faithfully stood beside him and lovingly cared for him. In 2014, Mom moved to Bethel Home apartment in Montezuma, there she spent her remaining years. She loved her small apartment; it was home. Five years ago, Karen moved from Hartley, Texas to be close to Mom, faithfully caring for her, which we as a family truly appreciated.

Mom made special friends everywhere she lived, giving to others was one of her greatest joys and no one left her house empty handed! She loved entertaining, cooking, baking and kept an immaculate house. Her fried chicken and cinnamon rolls were unforgettable; she also loved her roses and enjoyed listening to singing. Mom's faith in God carried her through the loss of her dear husband, son Gary, and daughter-in-law Evelyn.

She loved to send birthday cards to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mom enjoyed having her sister Clara close by and her phone calls with sister Johanna and brother Sam and Sandy were special to her. Two months ago, we honored her request by having our last family reunion in Montezuma. It was a special time for her to have her children, grandchildren, and greats all together. Her love was a blanket that kept our family warm, even on the coldest days.

We children deeply appreciate our Mother's faith and example. She carried a burden for our salvation and taught us the fear of God. She loved the Lord and the Church and we feel an assurance in our hearts of her salvation. It is our desire to be faithful to God that we may meet her again in Heaven.

Those left to cherish fond memories are her four sons, Doug and Cindy, Pincher Creek, Ab, Verle, Princeton, ID, Lindale and Glenda, Charlo, MT, and Kyle, Littleton, CO; four daughters, Cheryl and Dennis Unruh, Hartley, TX, Karen, Montezuma, Jan, Bartlesville, OK, and Lisa, Windsor, CO; daughter-in-law, Virginia, Scotia, NB; 22 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; sisters, Johanna and Earl Schmidt, El Campo, TX, and Clara Koehn, Montezuma; brother, Sam and Sandy Fricke, Ontario, CA; four sisters-in-law; and five brothers-in-law. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Gary; daughter-in-law, Evelyn; and granddaughter, Jeri Rae Koehn.

Funeral service will be held at Salem Mennonite Church, Copeland on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Salem Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Bethel Home on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 4:00 -5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Salem Mennonite Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.