Joanne Boehs

My wife, our mother and grandmother, Joanne Koehn Boehs, was born to Reuben and Alice Koehn west of Dodge City, Kansas on February 27, 1934.  She was the third of eight siblings. She passed peacefully at home March 23, 2020 with her husband and children around her.

Her parents cared for her the first two years of her life on a ranch between Dodge City and Cimarron, Kansas. Her father then accepted an invitation to pastor a small group at Goltry, Oklahoma in 1936. Thus Joanne and the family came to Oklahoma and took up residence there.  She attended Golden Valley Country School for several years, walking daily to and from school. For the remaining years of her education she attended the public school at Goltry.

During a series of revival meetings in the Goltry congregation, Joanne felt the call of God to repent of her sins and to be born again. Upon the confession of her faith, she was baptized by Minister Jesse Johnson, October 23, 1947 thus becoming a member of the Church of God In Christ, Mennonite. She cherished and upheld this faith to the end.

As a teenager in the home, she helped raise and care for her younger siblings, a meaningful contribution since her Dad was often away in the work of the gospel. She also took employment outside the home to help support the family. She often recalled with fondness working for Dr. Marion and Ila Sheets in Enid  even though it meant leaving home for the week.

On April 13, 1952 she was joined in marriage at Goltry to Robert “Bob” Boehs of Fairview. They shared life’s joys and sorrows for almost sixty-eight years. To this union five children were born. They lived in the Ringwood Blackjacks for a short time before going to Roseburg, Oregon where Bob fulfilled his two years of 1-W service.

Following those years of service, they moved to Goltry where Dad took employment from John H. Schmidt, and later as a carpenter under Andy Koehn. During these lean and difficult years, mom was a faithful keeper of the home, supporting Dad as he provided for the family. Time and space does not allow us to convey how important it was to mom that her children would be taught the Truth and the things of God. Her life was a beautiful example of a Christian mother.Her interest in children also prompted her to work together with others to begin the Vacation Bible School effort in the Goltry congregation. In 1986, this same feeling motivated them to accept the opportunity to serve as house parents at Hogan Hozhoni, Window Rock, Arizona. The time spent there ministering to the needs of the homeless Navajo children was a highlight in their lives. Dad and Mom became Papa Bob and Mama Jo to a large number of girls who cared for the children. These relationships that were forged were precious and long-lasting. Her relationship with her nephew, Aaron Don is an inspiration to all of us.

Her health began to decline about six months ago, but she bore patiently even while she hoped for better days. She left us with a clear testimony of salvation.

She is survived by her loving husband of the home, Robert Boehs; five children; Debbie and Harold Smith, Montezuma, Kansas, Donna and Donovan Toews, Del Norte, Colorado,  Doug and Geneva Boehs, Helena, Oklahoma, John and Char Boehs, Madrid, Nebraska, and Gwen and Bruce Schmidt, Helena, Oklahoma; two sisters, Lola and Harold H. Koehn, Montezuma, Kansas, Verna June and Ervin Jantz, De Ridder, Louisana; four brothers, Donald Koehn, Montezuma, Kansas, Gladwin and Judy Koehn , Macon, Mississippi,  Franklin and Saundra Koehn, Scott City, Kansas, and Dennis and Carlotta Koehn, Lahoma, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Francis Koehn, Glenn, California, and Willamae Boehs, Fairview, Oklahoma; twenty-one grandchildren and forty-seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother, one brother, and one sister-in-law.

Graveside service for Joanne will be Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Karoma Cemetery near Goltry with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.  Viewing will be Tuesday 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Goltry through the funeral home.