Galen Ray Koehn Sr.
Galen Ray Koehn Sr., 94, a retired Newton businessman,
passed away Sunday (Oct. 25, 2009) at Kidron Bethel Care Center in North
Newton. He was born on May 2, 1915, in Pawnee Rock to Lawrence and Martha
(Schultz) Koehn. He graduated from Bethel College in 1938 and received a degree
in industrial technology. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a
midshipman in the South Pacific. He married Martha Wiens on May 30, 1941, at
the Bethel College Chapel. They recently recently celebrated 68 years of
marriage.
Before retiring, he owned and managed the Home Appliance and
Furniture Co. in Newton for 30 years. He enjoyed woodworking and was an avid supporter
of Bethel College athletics. He was an active volunteer for the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program and received several awards for his service. He was a member
of Bethel College Mennonite Church, Kiwanis Club and Newton City Council.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Koehn; sons, Roy and
Paulette Koehn of Gaithersburg, Md., and Larry and Mary Koehn of North Palm
Beach, Fla.; daughter, Wendy and David Jones of Des Moines, Iowa;
daughter-in-law, Diana McCauley Koehn of Silver Springs, Md.; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Lawrence and
Martha Koehn; son, Kenneth Koehn; and brother, Earl Koehn.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the
community room at Kidron Bethel in North Newton.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bethel
College Mennonite Church.
Memorial donations may be made to Mennonite Central
Committee or Bethel College Mennonite Church.
Petersen Funeral Home in Newton is in charge of
arrangements.
