JAKOB KOEHN, SR.

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JAKOB KOEHN SR. March 21, 1917 - February 28, 2017 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father and Opa (grandfather) Jakob Koehn, on February 28, 2017, at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home at the age of 99 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Gertrude Koehn, son Peter, brothers Peter, Johan, Henry, Willy and sisters Tina and Marichen. Jakob will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his son Jakob Koehn and daughter-in-law Lily Koehn along with his grandchildren Peter and Diane Koehn, Tania Whyte and Cliff Caines and Dennis Koehn and Pamela Hansen and his great-grandchildren Jasper, Brianna, Victoria, Matthew, Kaitlin, Jacob, Karter and Kingsley, sisters Lisa and Gradel and extended family. Born in Village Number Nine in the Ukraine on March 21, 1917 to Peter and Katarina Koehn. Jakob attended and finished school there and then went to work on a watermelon plantation. Afterwards he went to work at a fruit and vegetable warehouse. He then met Gertrude who had moved to the village and they married on January 6, 1940. They had their first son, Jakob, on July 31, 1942. Later the family travelled by wagon to Polland to work on the farmland. The war broke out shortly afterwards and he was drafted to the army and became a prisoner of war. Gertrude and son were sent to Germany where their second son, Peter, was born in 1945. Separated from his family for 23 years, keeping in touch with letters, Jakob moved to Canada in 1952 to work on his uncle's farm and sent for his family, who remained in Germany, on September 1967. He was baptized in Canada to the Central Mennonite Church and was an active member of the Mennonite church for many years. He served on the food committee, the choir and as a Deacon of the church. He worked for Acme Chrome Furniture in the woodworking department until retirement at which time he enjoyed gardening and bringing vegetables to friends and family when he visited. Neighbours would see him washing his car with a bucket of warm water in the back-lane as he had to keep the car clean. He would always be waiting either in the yard or at the door for his grandchildren when they were coming to visit and was always prepared with a story or two to tell them. He enjoyed playing the violin and would teach himself to play new songs by ear. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, south wing, for their care during Jakob's stay there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jakob Koehn to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, 1011 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2K 3H1. Funeral Service on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Friends Funeral Services, 2146 Main Street, with viewing one hour prior to the service.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 04, 2017