Norma J. Koehn

Our dear mother, Norma J. Koehn, was born December 12, 1936, to Jacob and Evelyn (Unruh) Wadel in rural Kiowa County, Kansas. Her longing for heaven was realized when Jesus called her Home on the morning of March 25, 2026, at Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, Greensburg, Kansas.

Growing up on a farm south of Greensburg, the only girl with three ornery brothers, she learned the skills for a life of service.

Mom answered the Lord’s call to salvation at the age of thirteen and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on April 21, 1950. Church attendance was of utmost importance to her throughout her life, attending as long as she possibly could.

On October 20, 1957, Mom married Keith Koehn at Greensburg, Kansas. In 1966 and 1967 Keith and Norma served as missionaries in Haiti for fourteen months. In April, 1967, Keith, with Mom at his side, was ordained into the gospel ministry. They joyfully welcomed their son Harold in 1968 followed by Arden in 1970. Many happy memories were made as a family on the farm south of Greensburg. After a lengthy illness, Keith passed away on October 11, 1980, leaving Mom with the challenge of raising their two sons.

After twenty-five years of life as a widow, God led her to marry Glen Koehn. Through this she gained four sons and four daughters. Mom embraced Glen’s family as her own, a sentiment which was wholeheartedly returned. Glen and Mom spent a very rewarding time serving as missionaries in Vermont. Eleven enjoyable years were spent at Texline, Texas, where she formed many new friendships. Following Glen’s passing in March, 2017, Mom returned to Greensburg,

Throughout her life, Mom spent numerous years working in the medical community and helping others. She formed many lifelong friendships. Her outgoing personality and her love for others endeared her to all those whom she met. Many were drawn to her room at KCMH to join her in setting puzzles and playing games. This became a gathering point for her friends and family as her life came to a close. She was privileged to bid a fond farewell to many loved ones in the last few days. Although she admonished us not to grieve her passing, she will be missed by everyone who knew her. In Mom’s autobiography which was published in 2020, she wrote, “Now I’m waiting for God to call me Home. But, in the meantime, I want to be thankful every day for God’s love and the blessings He gives me, and I pray we will all meet in Heaven.”

Mom is survived by six sons: Harold Koehn, Arden Koehn, Lonnie (Pam) Koehn, Leslie (Rita) Koehn, Don (Shana) Koehn, Doyle (Amy) Koehn; four daughters: Grace (Randy) Ratzlaff, Evonne (Charley) Peaster, Karolyn (Lew) Nikkel, Glennis (Randy) Smith. One brother Darrell (Velda) Wadel, a sister-in-law Eunice Wadel, thirty-six grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, Keith Koehn and Glen Koehn, two brothers Floyd Wadel and Raymond and wife Neoma Wadel, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services and celebration of Norma’s life will be held 10:30 am, Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Bethel Mennonite Church, Greensburg. Burial will follow in Bethel Memorial Garden Cemetery. A visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 pm, Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society, the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, and Hospice of the Prairie, Dodge City, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, PO Box 41, Greensburg, KS 67054-0041.