Wilda Mae Koehn Yost

Our dear mother and grandmother, Wilda Mae Koehn Yost, was born to Edward and Katie Koehn on November 18, 1933, in rural Grant County, Kansas. She departed this life for her new home in Glory on January 1, 2024, at Western Prairie Care Home in Ulysses, Kansas.

When Mom was four years old, she and her family moved to the farm just three-quarters of a mile north of the present Grant Mennonite church. Here, along with her seven siblings, she learned the lessons that would serve her well for the rest of her life, including the three-quarter mile walk to school nearly every day of her school life. Mom’s memory was sharp and clear to the last, and we listened with interest as she recalled the memories of those far away days. One of her cherished memories was that the revival meetings held in the Rock Island School house sometimes lasting as long as six weeks.

Her conversion was clear, testifying to the simple plan of salvation. Seeking relief from her burden of sin, she confessed to her mother that she too, along with her friends, wanted to become converted, and peace flooded her soul. Upon the confession of her faith, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on March 27, 1947. Nothing could stop her from remaining true to these vows unto the end.

Mom married our dad, Loren Yost, in the new little white Grant Mennonite Church on Easter Sunday, April 22, 1962. They were the first couple married in the newly organized congregation in Grant County.

Mom and Dad lived in a number of different locations, always following Dad’s dream of being a farmer. In the course of time, we five children were born, sharing in the various moves- some locally, some out of state, and one as far away as Canada.

In 1976, Mom felt a need for a more stable situation for us children, and with the help of the brethren, a suitable house was found, and Mom made it into a home. She lived in this home until just six weeks ago.

After being married for almost exactly thirty-three years, on another Easter Sunday, April 16, 1995, Dad was tragically taken from us in an automobile accident. Mother loved us children unconditionally, and we believe that her prayers for us will never be forgotten by her God.

Mother’s determination to take care of herself in her own home was very clear as she neared her ninetieth birthday with birthday preparations well underway. This was not to be. Sunday, August 27, was the start of her cancer journey…Three days before her birthday she moved into the care home.
However, her testimony was clear. “The time I have left is likely short, and my work is done.”

Those left to treasure her memory: three sons; Rod and Jonetta, Bentley, KS; Doyle and Marilyn, Ulysses, KS; and Sanford, Ulysses, KS; one daughter, Melissa and Steve Seiler, Shepherd, MI; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leevern Koehn, Bonners Ferry, ID; and Wilbur and Lovella Koehn, Grant, NE; one sister, Luella Koehn, Montezuma, KS; and one sister-in-law, Bonnie Jackson, DeRidder, LA.

Wilda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Loren; one daughter, Verona Yost; and four brothers.

Funeral service will be Friday, January 5, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the Grant Mennonite Church in rural Grant County with Minister Stuart Jantzen and Minister Karlan Koehn officiating. Interment will follow at the Grant Mennonite Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.