1934
Douglas
2011
Douglas Koehl
March 17, 1934 — September 1, 2011
The funeral for Douglas E. Koehl, of Hancock, Minnesota will be held on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church near Morris, Minnesota. Visitation will be on Sunday at the Pedersen Funeral Home at Morris from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Monday one hour before the services at the church. Burial will be at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery, near Morris.
Douglas Ephraim Koehl, son of Ephraim and Eunice (Pfister) Koehl was born on March 17, 1934 at Fort Scott, Kansas. Doug lived with his family in Kansas until 8th grade, when they moved to Hancock, Minnesota, where Doug graduated from West Central School of Agriculture. In 1956, Doug entered the United States Army serving his country for two years. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to Hancock, where he worked at Schmidgall Sand and Gravel. In 1965, Doug recognized his need of a Savior and was baptized into the Apostolic Christian Church. Doug started Midwest Equipment which he ran until he began farming. Doug tenderly cared for his mother for many years. He was united in marriage to Maxine Sauder on September 14, 2003 at the Apostolic Church. The couple continued to live near Hancock, where Doug was active in the family farming operation up until the time of his death.
He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, where he served as usher for many years and made his presence in the Sunday school area between services. In later years, he would not leave the house without filling his pockets with candy to be handed out to any child who approached him in his wheelchair.
Doug and Maxine traveled often, as his health allowed. He was a loving husband, whose sense of humor brightened the days.
He thrived in the challenge of big hunts. Many have experienced his game room where he willingly shared his stories. June meant it was time to travel to Northern Manitoba to fish; and November was time to go to "The Shack" for the annual deer hunt.
As Parkinson's disease advanced, Doug enjoyed going for rides in the neighborhood, going out to eat, and spending time with special neighbors; Logan and his "Sweetie" or "Panda". Logan and Mandy eagerly assisted with little tasks to help Doug. His days were brightened by the many visits of his great-nieces and great-nephews.
Doug used the talents God gave him; bright mind, strong body, and big heart; to help those who traveled this road of life with him. Doug was known as a peace-maker. Anything Doug did, he did with zest. This gentle giant of a man won a special place of respect and love in the hearts of all of his nieces and nephews.
Doug died on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at the Courage Cottage in Morris. He was 77 years old.
He is survived by his wife Maxine; two brothers, Jacob Koehl, and Arnold (Sharon) Koehl, all of Hancock; four sisters, Marilyn Banwart, and Rebecca Banwart both of West Bend, IA, Charlotte (Ward) Werpy, Tucson, AZ, and Kathryn (Wayne) Fehr, Salem, OR; and many nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Eugene, two brothers-in-law, Victor and James Banwart, and one sister-in-law, Mary Koehl.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials are given in Doug's name to the Courage Cottage or to Parkinson's Research. In lieu of thank you's, the family will be making a donation in Doug's name to a local charity.
Douglas Ephraim Koehl, son of Ephraim and Eunice (Pfister) Koehl was born on March 17, 1934 at Fort Scott, Kansas. Doug lived with his family in Kansas until 8th grade, when they moved to Hancock, Minnesota, where Doug graduated from West Central School of Agriculture. In 1956, Doug entered the United States Army serving his country for two years. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to Hancock, where he worked at Schmidgall Sand and Gravel. In 1965, Doug recognized his need of a Savior and was baptized into the Apostolic Christian Church. Doug started Midwest Equipment which he ran until he began farming. Doug tenderly cared for his mother for many years. He was united in marriage to Maxine Sauder on September 14, 2003 at the Apostolic Church. The couple continued to live near Hancock, where Doug was active in the family farming operation up until the time of his death.
He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, where he served as usher for many years and made his presence in the Sunday school area between services. In later years, he would not leave the house without filling his pockets with candy to be handed out to any child who approached him in his wheelchair.
Doug and Maxine traveled often, as his health allowed. He was a loving husband, whose sense of humor brightened the days.
He thrived in the challenge of big hunts. Many have experienced his game room where he willingly shared his stories. June meant it was time to travel to Northern Manitoba to fish; and November was time to go to "The Shack" for the annual deer hunt.
As Parkinson's disease advanced, Doug enjoyed going for rides in the neighborhood, going out to eat, and spending time with special neighbors; Logan and his "Sweetie" or "Panda". Logan and Mandy eagerly assisted with little tasks to help Doug. His days were brightened by the many visits of his great-nieces and great-nephews.
Doug used the talents God gave him; bright mind, strong body, and big heart; to help those who traveled this road of life with him. Doug was known as a peace-maker. Anything Doug did, he did with zest. This gentle giant of a man won a special place of respect and love in the hearts of all of his nieces and nephews.
Doug died on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at the Courage Cottage in Morris. He was 77 years old.
He is survived by his wife Maxine; two brothers, Jacob Koehl, and Arnold (Sharon) Koehl, all of Hancock; four sisters, Marilyn Banwart, and Rebecca Banwart both of West Bend, IA, Charlotte (Ward) Werpy, Tucson, AZ, and Kathryn (Wayne) Fehr, Salem, OR; and many nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Eugene, two brothers-in-law, Victor and James Banwart, and one sister-in-law, Mary Koehl.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials are given in Doug's name to the Courage Cottage or to Parkinson's Research. In lieu of thank you's, the family will be making a donation in Doug's name to a local charity.
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