Dorothy Koehn, 101, Sports-Minded and a Boating Enthusiast
Dorothy Koehn (nee Bickel) was born in Lorain, Ohio, on April 3, 1909, and passed into the life eternal on December 20, 2010 in Sebastian, Florida, at the incredible age of 101.
She was the last survivor of seven siblings: Martin Bickel, Norman Bickel, Mildred K. Bickel, Edna Bickel Jenkins, Irma Ruth Sano, Alvin Bickel, and herself, the youngest. She was the wife of George "Sugar" Koehn originally of Elyria, Ohio, with whom she shared more than 50 years of marriage. George died in March of 1990.
Mrs. Koehn graduated from Lorain High School in 1926, attended Kent State University, Ohio majoring in physical education, was named Miss Kent State in 1929, and competed in the Miss Ohio contest. She taught elementary grades in the public schools in Lorain, for thirty-six years, influencing the lives of hundreds of children, and retired to Shady Rest Mobile Home Park in Sebastian, in 1970. She was one of the original members of the "Happy Wanderers Band" in Vero Beach.
Always sports-minded, she was president of the Saxon Club ladies' bowling league in Lorain for 25 years. She was an active member of the Queen City Chapter #66 of the Eastern Star. A boating enthusiast, she was the organizer and first President of the Vermillion Harbor Yacht Club in 1960. Her husband "Sugar" served as Commodore of VHYC in the 1960's.
She was a life-long member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Lorain, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School there, and later worshiped at the Roseland United Methodist Church in Sebastian FL.
Having no children or surviving siblings, Dorothy Koehn leaves many nieces and nephews scattered about the country.
Friends and relatives are invited to a graveside ceremony at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, 44805 North Ridge Road, Amherst Township on Tuesday December 28 at 11 a.m. In addition, a memorial service will be arranged at a later time at her church in Sebastian.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John's United Church of Christ, 715 Reid Avenue, Lorain Ohio, 44052, or to her favorite charity--The Salvation Army, 2506 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio 44052.
Funeral arrangements are by Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain, (440) 277-8164.