Colleen Kohn, the long time county health nurse for Custer County, passed away January 3 at the age of 91, in Billings, MT.
Colleen, born in Long Pine, Nebraska, and came to eastern Montana after finishing nursing school in Sheridan, Wyoming. Her husband, Lawrence Kohn, brought her to us in eastern Montana where she started her career as a nurse and advocate who served our community for over 40 years.
Colleen courageously started the family planning program in the 1970s. She overcame a number of hurdles to get the program going and help hundreds and hundreds of young women.
She then helped get the local food bank program going to help put groceries on the table for those in need.
Colleen was able to help so many people in our community, but probably none more than the children who received the immunizations, their school’s physicals, and their examinations that were provided through her hard work and efforts in public health.
Colleen was preceded in death by her father Walt, her mother Barbara, her brother Gerald, and her husband Larry. She is survived by her children Donaleen, Howard, and Brian and one granddaughter, Maggie.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday January 8, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 9, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday January 8, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 9, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Denise Harvey says
Colleen, I will miss you! Your sense of humor always brightened my day!! Thank you for being such an advocate for our community kids and their health. To all Colleen’s family, thank you for sharing her with us and may you find peace and comfort.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Kassidy Gran says
Colleen, I will miss you dearly. I was saddened to hear about your passing. You were just the sweetest lady. I’ll sure miss your spunky personality.
Jim and Cathy Bastian says
To all of Colleen’s family, we will miss Colleen so much. Her wisdom and wit added much spice to our days when she came shopping at Reynolds. I know that she knows that her boyfriend will miss her too! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy Culy says
Awww the sweet memories come flooding back…. Colleen was such a beauty…tho she scared me in my younger years and I laugh as I type that one but Miles City was so Blessed to have such a caring,whitty and lovely lady…..
Sincerely a true loss…RIP Colleen
Jesse Leidholt says
I lost a fun and smart friend when Colleen left us. She had a delightful sense of humor and was very smart. I will miss her calls and taffy at Christmas.
Dave Schott says
Sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing. She was one of Miles City’s best and she will surely be missed.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Your Mom lived quite a life! My sincerest sympathy to Donalene, Howard and family.
Deb & Bob Hagemeister says
Howard, Susan and families,
Colleen was loved by all — my mother, Roxye Hanley, and she were very close friends and had many fun times! She will be missed by many! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family! Deb
Linda Hodgson says
Coleen I will miss our visits about the day I was born! Will miss you much!! God bless!
Pam Rogge says
Colleen was truly an advocate for the children of this community – especially in her days as County Health Nurse they were always her #1 concern! She was truly a “tell it like it is” person and I always appreciated her honesty. May God bless her family at this time and in the days ahead. Colleen – you will be missed!
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sue matthews says
She was a fantastic mentor, a grand ole sass and the best of the best.
Tessa says
Colleen will be missed dearly by all of the therapists who worked with her in Billings. She was a memorable patient, who we will all never forget. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Elaine Schieffer says
Many times I called Colleen with professional questions when she was still working and I always received “down to earth/tell it like it is” responses. Knowing her was truly a blessing. What wisdom and commitment she possessed!!
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Colleen was a grand lady, I had many wonderful conversations with her, she was honest and loving and committed to people. Our sympathy goes to all her family.
Dawn Beddes says
Im sure gunna miss you, the huggs and talks my dear where amazing….Howard and family im so sorry for you loss..my thoughts and prayers ..
Amanda Whitecrane says
To the Kohn family I was torn up when I heard of the lose, although my time with her was brief, a couple of months, I truly found great love and admiration for Colleen. I had the pleasure of taking care of her and she will forever stick with me, when I stub my toe or anything that might bring the response of “oh crap ola”. We shared stories, coffee and she always showed much appreciation for the things I was able to help with. My heart is with you all what a sad lose but now she’s Is with our Lord and healed praise the Lord. Fly high my little butterfly.
Gloria Flakne says
Colleen touched many hearts. She will be greatly missed! So sorry for your loss.
Jeanne Vetch says
A grand woman who served her community wonderfully for so many years. A great mind and a great heart.
Dannette Cremer says
I loved my visits with Colleen! She always made me laugh, but you definitely where you stood with her and knew if you were in trouble or not.
Michelle says
Colleen was a such a good lady. The Harasymczuk family has great memories of her. Deepest condolences to her family.
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Donaleen and Family, i never knew your Mom, but you all have my Prayers and Condolences on the lost of your Mom. What nice things are said, she sounds like a true Servant. God Bless you all.
Landon Scranton says
I got the honor of buying Colleens mother’s house from her. My wife Kelsee and I got to know her for over a year and half along with other family of ours. She was one of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met from bringing us water diet coke cookies fresh baked goods and hours of your lifes stories only makes me wish I spent less time working and more time talking to you. We will miss you dearly and think of you often. Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys
Wanda Gresens (Harbaugh) says
Thinking of Colleen’s family today . My condolences to you all . Colleen was always willing to check out a sick kids day or night . So happy she was around to reassure me and guide me with my own children . I Remember the visits at the house where she would share her quick wit and the bantering and cigarettes that were shared between sheriff Bill Damm and Colleen at Christmas parties that we had . So many wonder memories she made hang on to them .
Dale & Cindy Berg says
So Sorry for your loss,
The community lost a great lady. God Bless you and Rest in Peace Coleen.
Shannon Holmen says
I loved working with her. I will miss her humor. She was such an advocate for Miles City. My prayers.
Susanne Galbraith says
Whenever I had the pleasure of seeing Coleen, she always had that sparkle in her eye and that smile that left you wondering what amusing chit chat she was about to impart.
She was a community servant and strong and intelligent woman. I will miss her.
Melody Haynes says
Coleen will be missed by many. Not only was she a wonderful nurse, she was a very nice neighbor to my parents, Hap & Thelma Meade on Mizpah Streets for many years. My sympathies to the family. I had already missed her when she moved to Billings. I always enjoyed seeing her at the grocery store or just outside (visiting her on the street) near her home. Our community owes her a debt for all the services she provided throughout her life to this community! I will miss Coleen always.
Maggie Hendrickson-Kohn says
Thank you, Grandma for making Miles City a wonderful society, and taking care of my father, making us laugh and telling it straight. I will never forget you and I will always love you. Even though it’s been two years, you will always be held in our hearts.