Koehn, Peter A. (1870-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jul 9 p. 8

Birth date: 1870 Nov 12

text of obituary:

PETER A. KOEHN

I, Peter A. Koehn, was born Nov. 12, 1870, in South Russia, and in 1878 I came with my parents to Kansas. For one year we lived in a dugout and a year later father was able to build an adobe-brick house. My education began the first yer in Kansas, attending a Bible school. Jacob Richert and H. H. Kliewer were my first teachers. I received my English schooling in Sparta.

My father was a farmer and had the desire that his four sons should follow the same occupation. However, because of a weak lung which threatened to become a serious problem for me, my father decided to send me to McPherson College. I became a school teacher and taught for ten years. After that I worked at various other vocations — in the M.B. Publishing House, went into business for myself in Buhler, Kan. for a time, worked with threshing crews, and did some journalism.

Father died in 1908 and mother in 1922. At the time of mother's death we lived in Buhler, Kan., but soon with by brother John and sister Katie we moved to Reedley, Calif. From 1912 to 1916 I lived and worked in Escondido, Calif. Here in Escondido I felt the need of a Saviour and accepted Jesus Christ and found forgiveness of my sins. I have since had many temptations but in all of them I have gone back to the Saviour and found with him what I needed. One of my greatest joys in life was having the privilege of following the Lord in baptism about two years ago and joining the Mennonite Brethren Church in Reedley.

For my funeral which I would like to have conducted in the church, I have chosen Philippians 1:21 to be used as the text, for it is a favorite of mine.

Those who have gone on before me besides my father and mother, Jacob and Anna Unruh Koehn, are two sisters, Katie, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Henry Sperling; and three brothers, Henry, Jacob, and John. Surviving is my sister Anna, Mrs. J. P. Bergen, Reedley, Calif., and 14 nieces and nephews and their families.

(According to the above record Mr. Koehn reached the age of 88 years,six months, and 23 days. His request was honored and Rev. B. J. Braun of Fresno brought the memorial message at the funeral in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church, using the text Philippians 1:21 as requested.)