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Claire Jean Kohn

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WAYNE — Claire Jean Kohn, 88, Wayne, died Sept. 27, 2020, at the Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.

Visitation and a vigil service were Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wayne.

Mass Of Christian Burial was Oct. 2 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wayne, with Rev. Jeff Mollner of

Wayne, with Rev. Jeff Mollner officiating.

Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery, Wayne.

Honorary pallbearers were Claire Jean’s grandchildren.

Active pallbearers were Nicholas Kohn, Maximilian Kohn, Augustine Kohn, Blaise Kohn, Jacob Butcher and Michael Rotherham.

Arrangements with Hasemann Funeral Home, Wayne.

Claire Jean Kohn was born July 16, 1932, in the farm home northeast of Tipton, Kan., to Nicholas and Madeline (Matheis) Schmitt, the third of seven children. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1950. Claire Jean’s mother died when she was 17 years old. She then took the responsibility of helping raise her younger siblings, helping with farm work, as well as continuing her education. She remained home a few years before moving to Beloit, Kan., to work at the Ford dealership. Claire Jean married Alex Kohn May 14, 1955, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tipton, where they were parishioners during their early years together. The couple lived in Tipton and later moved to Abilene, Kan., where Alex worked as a farm/ranch hand. In October 1963, they purchased a farm near Guide Rock, where they lived for 32 years, and Claire Jean helped cook at the school there. Claire Jean worked at Alex’s side, helping with the milking, the stock herd, farrowing and raising hogs, as well as taking care of the farm. She was a true partner with Alex in everything to build a prosperous life for their family.

She was always busy, always working hard on everything needed to raise a family and make the farm a happy home prosperous. Claire Jean always raised a large garden, which meant lots of canning and delicious meals. Along with raising her children, she was the care taker of Alex’s mother for 16 years. Her hands were seldom idle, as she loved to bake, especially bread and rolls, and embroidered many tea towels and quilts that are prized keepsakes for her grandchildren. In October 1996, the couple retired and moved to Wayne. In Wayne, they made new friends and were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. For the past several years, Claire Jean resided at Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.

Later in life, she loved quilting with her friends at the senior center. She enjoyed traveling and wanted to do more in retirement than circumstances allowed.

Claire Jean was a past member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tipton; Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Red Cloud; and at present St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wayne.

Claire Jean is survived by her children, Stanley (Kathleen) Kohn, Concordia, Kan.; Gary (Susan) Kohn, Wilmette, Ill.; Jeff (Annette) Kohn of Lincoln, Jeanne (Kerry) Keifer, Belden; 13 grandchildren; one step granddaughter; brother, Richard (Carolyn) Schmitt, Cawker City, Kan.; sister, Maxine (Ray) Bannister, San Lorenzo, Calif.; sister-in-law, Phyllis Schmitt, Tipton, Kan.; and nieces and nephews.

Claire Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alex, in 2008; one step grandson, Bruce Peterson; brothers, Ralph (Laurine) Schmitt and Harry Schmitt; and sisters, Marylene (Leo) Cordel and Lois (Robert) Gengler.

Memorials may be directed to the Kohn family for later designation.