Donald Kohtz
Donald R. Kohtz, age 79, of Grand Island, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Grand Island.
He was born July 3, 1935 at rural Thayer to Walter and Myrtle (Bush) Kohtz. Don was united in marriage to Lorraine Obermier on June 3, 1956 at Waco. He was the former fire chief for the York Fire Department. Most recently, he served as fire chief for the Grand Island Rural Fire Department.
Don enjoyed activities with his family and was an avid outdoorsman. He loved farming, deer hunting, camping, fishing, gardening and carpentry. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Waco, the Board of Directors for the Grand Island Rural Fire Department, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorraine of Grand Island; three sons, Andy Kohtz of Omaha, Paul Kohtz and special friend Terri Gardner of Lincoln and George Kohtz of Grand Island; five daughters, Beth (Gaylen) Thomsen of York, Rebecca Kohtz of O’Neill, Sara Williams and special friend Jim Dreher of Hastings, Tamar (Kevin) Gorham of St. Peters, Mo. and Ezarah (Stephen) Coates of Fullerton.
Grandchildren include, Emily Powers and special friend Allen Johnson, Jacob Thomsen and Ethan Thomsen all of York, Eben Kohtz of Omaha, DeVante, Lucille and Dottie Kohtz of Cairo and Caleb and Cooper Gorham of St. Peters. Great-grandchildren are Haden Powers of York and Chaiya Coates of Fullerton. Don is also survived by two brothers, Dennis (Sharron) Kohtz of Waco and Larry (Karen) Kohtz of York; one sister, Shirley (Art) Richter of Gresham; nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Mildred Kohtz; son-in-law, Harvey Williams; sister-in-law, Rogene Kohtz and grandson-in-law, Bobby Powers.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church, south of Waco. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. Thursday with the family greeting friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Condolences may be emailed to Metz Mortuary Messages will be given to the family.
He was born July 3, 1935 at rural Thayer to Walter and Myrtle (Bush) Kohtz. Don was united in marriage to Lorraine Obermier on June 3, 1956 at Waco. He was the former fire chief for the York Fire Department. Most recently, he served as fire chief for the Grand Island Rural Fire Department.
Don enjoyed activities with his family and was an avid outdoorsman. He loved farming, deer hunting, camping, fishing, gardening and carpentry. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Waco, the Board of Directors for the Grand Island Rural Fire Department, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorraine of Grand Island; three sons, Andy Kohtz of Omaha, Paul Kohtz and special friend Terri Gardner of Lincoln and George Kohtz of Grand Island; five daughters, Beth (Gaylen) Thomsen of York, Rebecca Kohtz of O’Neill, Sara Williams and special friend Jim Dreher of Hastings, Tamar (Kevin) Gorham of St. Peters, Mo. and Ezarah (Stephen) Coates of Fullerton.
Grandchildren include, Emily Powers and special friend Allen Johnson, Jacob Thomsen and Ethan Thomsen all of York, Eben Kohtz of Omaha, DeVante, Lucille and Dottie Kohtz of Cairo and Caleb and Cooper Gorham of St. Peters. Great-grandchildren are Haden Powers of York and Chaiya Coates of Fullerton. Don is also survived by two brothers, Dennis (Sharron) Kohtz of Waco and Larry (Karen) Kohtz of York; one sister, Shirley (Art) Richter of Gresham; nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Mildred Kohtz; son-in-law, Harvey Williams; sister-in-law, Rogene Kohtz and grandson-in-law, Bobby Powers.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church, south of Waco. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. Thursday with the family greeting friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Condolences may be emailed to Metz Mortuary Messages will be given to the family.