Gertrude A. Koehn, age 98 of Monroe, died Friday, September 8, 2017 at Monroe Clinic Hospital. Gert was born at home in South Wayne, WI on June 7, 1919 to John and Ida (Iseli) Wehinger. Her family had a chicken hatchery. Her Dad had also put together a dance band which involved Gert and her brother, Ed. Gert played clarinet, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, accordion, and piano. She met her future husband, LaVerne, while performing at Yeagle Dance Hall where he was the manager. Gert graduated from South Wayne High School and studied music at U.W. Madison for two years. While in Madison, Gert continued to do dance jobs and play her saxophone and clarinet.
Gert and LaVerne Koehn were married on January 18, 1941 and resided in Rockford. The couple farmed for a few years in Warren, IL before moving to Monroe in 1961 and establishing and operating the Surge store for 41 years. A tornado destroyed the store in 1965, but Gert and LaVerne rebuilt and operated the business until LaVerne died in 1991. Gert sold the business to a grandson and nephew. In 2003, she became the first resident of Aster Retirement which has been her home for the past 14 years. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe and enjoyed being a member of the Sara Circle. Some of her favorite pastimes were watching Lawrence Welk and Wheel of Fortune, reading, and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her daughter, Bev Witt (Curt Schwerin); two grandchildren, Lez`lee (Jon) Craigo and Lance Witt; four great grandchildren, Kaylee and Coltin Craigo, Logan and Ethan Witt; a sister, Esther Tregloan; nieces and nephews; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vic and Ed Wehinger; and a sister, Lillian Schliem.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. John Tabaka officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Services. Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church in Gert's name. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Gert's family would like to give a special thank-you to the staff of Aster for the loving care that was provided.
Gert and LaVerne Koehn were married on January 18, 1941 and resided in Rockford. The couple farmed for a few years in Warren, IL before moving to Monroe in 1961 and establishing and operating the Surge store for 41 years. A tornado destroyed the store in 1965, but Gert and LaVerne rebuilt and operated the business until LaVerne died in 1991. Gert sold the business to a grandson and nephew. In 2003, she became the first resident of Aster Retirement which has been her home for the past 14 years. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe and enjoyed being a member of the Sara Circle. Some of her favorite pastimes were watching Lawrence Welk and Wheel of Fortune, reading, and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her daughter, Bev Witt (Curt Schwerin); two grandchildren, Lez`lee (Jon) Craigo and Lance Witt; four great grandchildren, Kaylee and Coltin Craigo, Logan and Ethan Witt; a sister, Esther Tregloan; nieces and nephews; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vic and Ed Wehinger; and a sister, Lillian Schliem.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. John Tabaka officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Services. Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church in Gert's name. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Gert's family would like to give a special thank-you to the staff of Aster for the loving care that was provided.