Phyllis Koehn

  Our loving mother and grandmother, Phyllis Lou Becker Koehn, was born to Fred and Amanda Johnson Becker on September 28, 1933, in McPherson County, Kansas. She peacefully fell asleep surrounded by her family on May 22, 2024. She was 90 and a half years old. 

     Her childhood home was near her father's business, Becker's Feed Mill. She was the youngest daughter in a family of twelve, and received her formal education at the nearby Farms School. She gave her heart to the Lord at age twelve, and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite at the Lone Tree congregation on April 7, 1946. At the age of thirteen she contracted rheumatic fever and experienced a delayed recovery. After she graduated from grade eight, she went to work in her father's feed mill as his secretary and bookkeeper. Her father Fred, a very structured and orderly businessman, had a profound impact on her life. When she was nineteen, she moved to Halstead to work in the hospital there, with the thought of a career in nursing in mind. 

     A marriage proposal shelved that dream, and on October 26, 1952, she was joined in marriage to Clayton Koehn at the Lone Tree Congregation. They started out their married life in Roseburg, Oregon, where Clayton was filling out a term of 1W service.  Their first son was born to them there. 

     After Clayton’s service was completed, they returned to central Kansas, making their home in Moundridge, Kansas, for two years where another son joined their family. 

     In the spring of 1956, the young couple with their two young sons, moved to a farm in the Burns, Kansas, community where they became members of the Eden Mennonite Congregation. Here Clayton pursued his dream of raising his family on a dairy farm. Three more children were born to them. Mother found joy in raising us, seeing to our daily needs as well as to our upbringing, setting high standards for us. She was interested in our education and was appreciated by the local public-school faculty. Mother also believed in broadening our horizons and often opened our home to people from other cultures and walks of life, as well as to those in need. 

     Seeking a less strenuous way of making a living, the family relocated to West Point, Mississippi, in March of 1979. Mother really appreciated the move, even though through the years, she often needed to work away from home to help with the household expenses.

     In 2001, she and Clayton accepted the call to be missionaries in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The three years spent there were the highlight of our parent’s lives. They often spoke of the friends and experiences they enjoyed there. 

     After returning to West Point, Mother joined the local hospital auxiliary, spending sixteen years in their service. She dearly loved attending sewing circle and often sewed for others. Mother had a generous nature and enjoyed giving thoughtful, timely gifts.

     In May of 2014, Dad passed away after sharing Mother’s life for over sixty-one years. Mother was able to accept her widowhood, and we as children felt blessed and thankful to have her nearby as the years rolled on. Her grandchildren adored her and cherished the time spent with her.

     After she entered her eighth decade, she began to compile her memoirs, and as one of her final achievements, she was able to publish them in a book. 

      During our growing-up years, Mother often found herself burdened and frustrated with life’s challenges, but as she aged, she allowed God to sanctify her life, and she truly grew old gracefully. Her pleasant demeanor and sincerity profoundly touched the hearts and minds of our community. She leaves an enduring legacy of inspiration and guidance. 

     Those left behind to cherish her memory are her children: Bill and Amelia Koehn, Ben and Ladene Koehn, both of West Point, Mississippi; Regina and Jerald Koehn of Burns, Kansas; Mary Ellen Stewart of Arizona; and daughter-in-law Pam Koehn of West Point, Mississippi; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.  She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents and all eleven of her siblings; one son, Nelson Koehn; and one infant granddaughter. 

Funeral Services will be 2:30 PM Sunday May 26, 2024 at the West Point Mennonite Church. Interment will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will be 6-8 PM Saturday May 25, 2024 at the church.