Koehn, Henry C. (1864-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Mar 3 p. 6

Birth date: 1864 Sep 29

text of obituary:

HENRY C. KOEHN

Henry C. Koehn, son of Benjamin and Anna Koehn, was born at Antinosfke [sic Antonovka], Russia in Poland on Sept. 29, 1864. He came to America with his family with the large group of immigrants in 1874.

He was baptized the 6th day of March, 1886, by the beloved Elder John Ratzlaff and became a member of the Canton church near Moundridge, Kans. He joined hands in holy matrimony with Mary Jantz on Oct. 12, 1890, and again the Elder John Ratzlaff performed the ceremony.

They lived in Central Kansas in the earlier years and later came to Oklahoma, enduring many hardships. They first lived in Dewey county near Taloga and held membership in the Kidron Mennonite church. In 1921, he and his family came to live near Fairview, Okla., where they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Oct. 12, 1940, in the immediate family circle.

From this home near Fairview they moved southwest of Orienta, where they lived until his wife passed away on Feb. 11, 1946.

The last three years he has spent with his children, often showing his courageous spirit and his abiding faith as he bore his ailments that are common to the aged. He had been an orphan since early childhood and grew up among strangers, making his own living at whatever tasks he was given to do — often being a cold and hungry boy in the pioneer days in Kansas.

The last months he was often seen reading the family Bible in his room and he gave us his testimony even in his last hours that he was ready to go whenever his Lord should call him from this world of care.

He became ill with a heart ailment Friday evening, Jan. 28, and suffered much until Saturday morning. At 9:15 a.m. he quietly slipped away from time into eternity.

He leaves to mourn four sons and four daughters: B. W. of Meno, Adolph of Orienta, Albert of Taloga, and Henry of Orienta, Malinda (Mrs. C. B. Schmidt) of Enid, Hulda (Mrs. Herman Buller) of Orienta, Lisbeth (Mrs. Wm. Frantz) of Orienta, and Evelyn (Mrs. Lafey Eck) of Meno. He also leaves four sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law, 25 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Of his immediate kinfolk only one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Nightingale, of Fairview, survives him. One sister, two brothers, two grandchildren and one great grandchild have preceded him in death.

He died at the home of his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Buller near Orienta. More recently he held his membership in the Saron Mennonite church near Orienta.