John Koehn

1903 – 1972

John Koehn was born April 2, 1903 in Alexanderfeld, Sagradovka, in southern Russia. His parents were David & Helena (Fast) Koehn. He became a Christian in 1919 and was baptized by Rev. Jacob Janzen and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church in Orloff in 1924. His marriage in 1926 to Maria Janzen was also performed by Rev. Janzen.

In 1926 the Koehns emigrated to Canada working on various farms in southern Manitoba for the first two years until moving into Winnipeg and taking up carpentry. Here they joined the North Kildonan MB Church and enjoyed many times of blessing. Mr. Koehn was ordained to the diaconal ministry here in 1942.

In May of 1946, the Koehn family moved to Yarrow, B.C. where they bought a berry farm; in addition, Mr. Koehn continued, in his free time with his first love, carpentry. In 1969 he retired and moved to Clearbrook. His deacon ministry was continued in the Yarrow and Clearbrook churches. He continued to display a deep concern for and interest in, the spiritual welfare of his fellow believers. His three oldest sons have also committed themselves to the diaconal ministry.

On April 7, 1972, John had a severe stroke which left him speechless and rendered his right side paralyzed. He died on April 18, 1972 at the age of 69 years, leaving to mourn his wife Mary, six sons and three daughters: David & Betty Koehn, Yarrow; John & Kay Koehn, Vancouver; Peter & Mary Kaethler, Vancouver; Helen & Verne Ratzlaff, Winnipeg; Jake & Agnes Schmidt, Winnipeg; Albert & Ruth Koehn, Richmond; Waldemar & Doreen Koehn, Richmond; and Herb Koehn, Vancouver; 19 grandchildren, two brothers David Koehn, Vancouver and Peter Koehn, Yarrow, and many relatives and friends.