Bonnie Koehn

Bonnie Dee Gibson Koehn Ek, daughter of Barton and Clara (Smith) Gibson was born on July 8, 1920, in Ryan, Oklahoma. She was raised on a farm just north of McPherson and attended Scandia School. Bonnie graduated from McPherson High School in 1939.

Bonnie was united in marriage to Lloyd Koehn on May 6, 1940, in McPherson, KS. This union was blessed with four sons and one daughter. Lloyd died on June 6, 1986, after 46 years of marriage. In 1997, Bonnie married Don Ek. He died December 26, 1998, after only one year of marriage. Bonnie was a homemaker who supported her husband, Lloyd on the New Gottland farm. The family joined the New Gottland Lutheran Church and were active members for over fifty years. She was a member of the WELCA and Tabitha women’s groups at the church. Bonnie was a charter member of the Buzzing Bees Club established in 1945 and a member of the Kansas Twins Association. She looked forward to attending the Twins Convention yearly and received the most unalike twin award. She and Bernard were proud of that honor!

Bonnie was a devoted Christian, loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Family was the most important part of her life along with her Christian faith. She enjoyed the many times the family gathered for a holiday dinner, which included Swedish Ostakaka or just to enjoy Swedish pancakes. If you stopped by to see her she would always have a pot of coffee brewing and Swedish rusks to enjoy. Bonnie was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always had candy to offer them when they visited. Bonnie also enjoyed crocheting afghans and doilies, playing games and fishing at the pasture pond.

The Gibsons adopted Bonnie and Bernard in 1922 at the age of two. The twins were reunited with their biological family in 1981. It was a very interesting time because they discovered that they came from a family of fourteen children, all of whom preceded her in death. Through laughter and tears, they talked about the events that led up to this special time in their lives. Many friendships developed through the years after this initial reunion.

In 1987, Bonnie purchased a home in McPherson and in 2007 moved to The Cedars Assisted Living. She enjoyed playing cards and Wii bowling with the many friends that she had at the Cedars. In May she moved to the Cedar House where her granddaughter Beth was a nurse. She loved having her take care of her!

Bonnie entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, while in the company of family members at McPherson Hospital, McPherson, Kansas. She was ninety-one. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Lloyd and Don; her twin brother, Bernard; granddaughter, Mindy Koehn.

Surviving family members include her children; Wayne (Mary), Howard (Joyce), Marilyn Hamler (Larry), Ronald (Jana), Raydean (Jana); her ten grandchildren, Denette Sersland (Al), Jeff Koehn (Randi), Danny Koehn (Valinda), Karyn Koehn, Kim Houghton (Mark), Kirsten Stewart (Bruce), Brad Shaft (Candra), Beth Rausch (Nick), Aaron Koehn, Alex Koehn (Emily), step grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, sister-in-laws; Louise Gibson and Lila Koehn, brother-in-law; Robert Koehn and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 15, 2011, at the New Gottland Lutheran Church, rural McPherson, Kansas. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday at Stockham Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The final resting place will be in the New Gottland Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural McPherson, Kansas.

Memorials in memory of Bonnie are suggested to the New Gottland Lutheran Church, rural McPherson or a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bonnie Koehn please visit our Sympathy Store.