Luella Pearl Unruh Koehn
Luella Pearl Unruh Koehn was born on January 12, 1927 in rural Haskell County, Kansas to Sam I. and Agnes Smith Unruh, the third child in a family of eleven children. She passed away from complications of old age in the early morning hours of April 25, 2017 at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas and reached 90 years of age.
Mom’s earliest years were spent on the farm caring for her younger siblings and helping with the outside chores, which included milking the cows.
Mom began and also completed her education at Colusa School in rural Haskell County. At the age of 13, she found forgiveness of sins and peace with God. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on November 17, 1940 by Min. Jesse Johnson. She remained true to her vows until the end.
Luella met the love of her life, Obed Koehn, and they were married on December 1, 1946 at Copeland, Kansas and they enjoyed almost 62 years of married life. As newlyweds, they made their first home in Galva, Kansas for a short time, and then moved to Western Kansas where one son and three daughters were born.
As children, we remember Mom being a hard worker, spending many hours gardening, mowing, and taking care of her roses in the yard. She loved to sew, making many clothes for her children, grandchildren and various others, including garments for new babies in the congregation. She was generous in giving of her time, and often made food for the less fortunate in the community. She loved being a farmer’s wife, helping with the pipe moving during the irrigating season and driving truck at harvest time. She loved to sing, and was part of a ladies’ quartet. Her friends especially remember one song they would sing together. The first verse begins with these words, “Each day I’ll do a golden deed.”
Dad passed away on July 19, 2008, leaving Mom very lonely. Due to failing health she entered into full care at Bethel Home in December 2008, residing there for over 8 years until her death. She loved and appreciated each one who cared for her, and enjoyed the friendships made there. In the last few years, her relationship with God was deepened and her Bible became very precious to her. Her testimony in later years included her thankfulness to God for His goodness to her, and a deep gratitude to those around her. In her last days she would tell us about the singing she was hearing and we believe the angels were beckoning her home. Some of her last words to us were, “I’m almost there… I’m going higher and higher.” We believe she is resting under the altar, awaiting that last day.
Those left with precious memories are: one son, Don, and wife Connie, Okolona, Mississippi, three daughters, Jane Schafer and husband David, Copeland, Kansas, Althea Smith and husband Stan, Ingalls, Kansas, and Vicki Wedel and husband Simon, Albertville, Alabama, 13 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Eugene Unruh and wife Janice, Montezuma, Kansas, and Sam Unruh and wife Jan, Copeland, Kansas, five sisters, Maxine Schmidt and husband Eldon, Copeland, Kansas, Vada Unruh, Shirley Unruh, Sylvia Wedel and husband Delton, and Jeanette Nightengale and husband Devern, all of Montezuma, Kansas, one brother-in-law, Ervin Nightengale of Scott City, Kansas. Preceding her in death were her parents, parents-in-law, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 brother in law and 3 sisters in law.
We as a family want to thank Bethel Home for the gracious care they gave to our mother. She truly loved each one of you and may you be blessed for your kindness.
Funeral service will be held at Salem Mennonite Church on Saturday April 29, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Salem Mennonite Cemetery in Copeland. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Friday April 28, 2017 from Noon to 3:30 PM and at the Bethel Home from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
