Floyd Orville Coen

Floyd Orville Coen died Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Morton County Senior Living Community in Elkhart, Kansas. He was born March 11, 1925, just a few minutes before his twin brother Lloyd, a fact that he often shared with folks. They were born on the Coen homestead near Rolla in Morton County, Kansas.

Floyd spent his early years along with his six brothers, and one sister acquiring a love of the sand hills of Morton County and the life it offered. Helping his family from a young age with the duties of family life on the farm, his life was molded from those experiences, some carefree, yet some difficult times. His family, like many during the “dustbowl days” of the 1930’s, endured hardships that drove some families from the land, yet forged a toughness and resilience in others that they would carry with them throughout their lives. Floyd lived his life here and was never heard to complain about life in Morton County, but instead was an ambassador for this corner of his beloved state. He was heard more than once telling others …. “It may not be heaven…. but you can see it from here”.

In March of 1946, Floyd married his childhood friend, Maxine Turner. Maxine was a neighbor girl from a family not unknown to the Coen’s, since two of Floyd’s brothers had married two of Maxine’s sisters. Maxine was the love of his life and shared his dreams and the work involved in fulfilling them through the 59 years of their partnership. Together they made a formidable team, raising three daughters and building “Prairie Knoll Farm” which had been homesteaded by Maxine’s parents, Jesse and Ida Turner in 1908. Floyd farmed and raised Polled Hereford Cattle, something he really enjoyed. He and Maxine were awarded the State of Kansas Master Farmer and Homemaker award in 1976 and their Prairie Knoll Farm was recognized as a Kansas Century farm in 2008 for having been in continuous operation by the same family for 100 years. Floyd’s biggest pride and joy however were his three daughters, Linda Lou, Celia Janet, and Patti Jean.

Floyd loved Morton County and worked hard to provide opportunities for children through 4-H and helped to establish an FFA program at Elkhart High School. He was a strong supporter of K-State Extension Service, was a founding member of the Morton County Fair Board, an active member of Farm Bureau and the County Grazing Association.

Floyds dedicated his life to helping others. His world and scope of influence was much larger than just our corner of the State. In 1963 he was elected and served in the Kansas House of Representatives, served 24 years on the Kansas State Board of Agriculture and 25 years on the Kansas State Fair Board. He was president of numerous county and state organizations.

During his years of service throughout the state, Floyd received many awards and honors. Some of these include: Distinguished Jayhawker Award, Friend of County Agents Award, Master Farmer/Homemaker Award, Kansas Fairs Association Hall of Fame, Kansas Polled Hereford Hall of Fame, 2004 Pioneer Man of the Year Award, Honorary State FFA degree, Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, and many others too numerous to mention.

Floyd was a man who stood firm in his convictions, was brutally honest, and worked hard to make opportunity available in our communities and across the state. A man who was at home in a crowd, he made many friends throughout the years working side by side with others to make our world a better place. He will be missed, yet has left a legacy in our small corner of Kansas that will live on through his friends and family.

Floyd is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Rena (Boicourt) Coen; brothers, Verl, Marion, Richard, Lloyd; sister, Rena Marie; and his wife, Maxine.

He is survived by brothers, Dale and Ralph; daughter, Linda and her husband Claes Passmark, Celia Coen, Patti and her husband Robert Grieshaber; as well as his granddaughter, Brynn Grieshaber; and grandsons, Shannon Coen and Nik Passmark.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Elkhart, Kansas with Reverend Terrell Giddens officiating. Burial will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorial contributions may be given to Kansas 4-H Foundation in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.