Obituary

Judy (Koehn) Pauls

November 2, 1946 - May 24, 2024

Judy (Koehn) Pauls, 77, of Hutchinson, Kansas passed away on 24 May, 2024 at Sunshine Meadows in Buhler, Kansas.

Judy was born 2 November 1946 to Elton Simon Koehn and Martha J (Wedel) Koehn in Newton, Kansas; they preceded her in death. She graduated from Halstead High School in 1964, attended Marymount College for one year, then completed her Bachelors and Master?s degrees in Elementary Education at Wichita State University. She married Roger Pauls on 23 December 1966; he preceded her in death. They are survived by one daughter, Jennifer Pauls (Bryce Kuhlman) of Gilbert, Arizona. She is also survived by her sister Kathy Koehn (Mick Groom), brothers Steve Koehn (Jodi Koehn) and Rob Koehn (Carol Koehn), nieces Jesse (Josh), Leah, Emily (Zach), & Karli (Jason), six great-nephews, and a great-niece. Judy later entered into a committed relationship with Steven Howell; he survives her as does his mother Marge (his father Mel preceded her in death), son Jeff (Kaylee) & granddaughter Audrey.

After graduation, Judy started her career teaching Special Education at Sunflower School. Soon after, she was hired to teach fourth grade at Moundridge Elementary School. Two years later, she got the opportunity she had been waiting for, teaching first graders, and she jumped at it. ?Mrs. Pauls? loved her students and enjoyed watching them grow up and teaching their children.

In 1980, she and Roger bought 80 acres of land in the Sand Hills outside of Burrton and designed & built their dream home. They had a pond, wild blackberries, and a large garden that produced huge harvests that Judy cooked, canned, froze, and shared with family and friends.

 With room for a big dining table, Judy took over hosting holiday meals for the extended family. She was an excellent cook, known for her butterhorn rolls (recipe from Martha Koehn), tomato tart (recipe from Martha Stewart), and many other tasty dishes. She shared the love and supported her daughter?s (and other family members?) cooking habits with many gifts of quality tools, cookbooks, and sage advice.

Judy was a master of needlepoint and other crafts. Christmas was definitely her favorite holiday and she stitched & crafted countless ornaments/decorations to fill her home and give away.

Roger, the first love of her life, died unexpectedly in 1985.

A few years later, Judy met Steve Howell, the second love of her life. She took a sabbatical from teaching and then early retirement as they transitioned to living in Bella Vista, AR. There, they enjoyed making new friends, golfing, and time on the water.

They moved to Hutchinson in 2005 to be closer to family. Judy and her sister enjoyed taking cooking classes at the Cook?s Nook, eating out, and planning menus for the big holiday get-togethers that she happily resumed hosting. Every summer she would corral the family into coming over and helping ?put up corn.? They?d get twelve dozen ears and everyone would help shuck, strip, and pack the corn into bags, frozen for Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter.

When her parents passed, she and Kathy spent a year preparing for their estate sale - meticulously going through the house. It was an emotional time, made easier because they were sisters.

Though she didn?t have students anymore (or grandchildren? sorry, Mom) she had a special place in her heart for her local grand-nephews (Henry, Luke, Sam, Quenton, & Lincoln) and loved seeing them & planning special treats when they visited.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024, at First Mennonite Church of Christian, 719 S. Christian Avenue, Moundridge. Private inurnment will take place at a later date. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.