Dennis Frederick Kohles
December 11, 1930 — February 18, 2013
Dennis Frederick Kohles “Denny” was born on December 11, 1930 to John and Theresia (Wilwerding) Kohles in Earling, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling where he remained a lifelong member. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School with the Class of 1949 and continued his education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Europe during the Korean War, obtaining the rank of corporal.
On May 10, 1955, Denny was united in marriage to Joanne Erlbacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They became the parents of seven children: Mary, Terry, Diane, David, Jayne, Glenn, and Cathy.
He was an active member of the community where he served as parish council president, school board member, building committee member, and performed lots of volunteer work for the parish. He was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1714 of Earling and the American Legion Post #615.
Denny was a dedicated husband who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved farming and the outdoors. He enjoyed watching sports, taking family vacations, praying the rosary, and of course, Joanne’s cooking and baking. He devoted his life to his family by providing an abundant amount of love, kindness, and generosity. He lived life to the fullest and his spirit and smile will live forever in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Denny died on Monday, February 18, 2013 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-two years, two months, and seven days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Kenneth and his wife Agnes Kohles and Donald Kohles; granddaughter Megan Kohles; and sister-in-law Elizabeth Kohles.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years Joanne Kohles of Earling, Iowa; children: Mary and her husband Randy Laver of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Terry Kohles and his wife Sharon, Diane and her husband Jeff Reynolds, Dave Kohles and his friend Therese Simanek, Jayne Kohles and her friend Mike Fay, Glenn Kohles and his wife Paula, and Cathy Bailey all of Omaha, Nebraska; twenty grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: James Kohles of Harlan, Iowa, Ruth and her husband Ron Nollen of Westphalia, Iowa, Marie Kohles of Earling, and Julius “Dewey” Kohles of Parker, Colorado; other family members and friends.
On May 10, 1955, Denny was united in marriage to Joanne Erlbacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They became the parents of seven children: Mary, Terry, Diane, David, Jayne, Glenn, and Cathy.
He was an active member of the community where he served as parish council president, school board member, building committee member, and performed lots of volunteer work for the parish. He was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1714 of Earling and the American Legion Post #615.
Denny was a dedicated husband who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved farming and the outdoors. He enjoyed watching sports, taking family vacations, praying the rosary, and of course, Joanne’s cooking and baking. He devoted his life to his family by providing an abundant amount of love, kindness, and generosity. He lived life to the fullest and his spirit and smile will live forever in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Denny died on Monday, February 18, 2013 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-two years, two months, and seven days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Kenneth and his wife Agnes Kohles and Donald Kohles; granddaughter Megan Kohles; and sister-in-law Elizabeth Kohles.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years Joanne Kohles of Earling, Iowa; children: Mary and her husband Randy Laver of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Terry Kohles and his wife Sharon, Diane and her husband Jeff Reynolds, Dave Kohles and his friend Therese Simanek, Jayne Kohles and her friend Mike Fay, Glenn Kohles and his wife Paula, and Cathy Bailey all of Omaha, Nebraska; twenty grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: James Kohles of Harlan, Iowa, Ruth and her husband Ron Nollen of Westphalia, Iowa, Marie Kohles of Earling, and Julius “Dewey” Kohles of Parker, Colorado; other family members and friends.
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