E. Gene Kohnke

E. Gene Kohnke, age 80 of Westfield, was called home on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at her residence.

Evangeline Gene (Grimm) was born on January 12, 1938 in Wautoma, WI, the second daughter of Elver G. and Kathleen E. (Good) Grimm.

On May 24, 1958 she was united in marriage to Raland A. Kohnke at the new Trinity Lutheran Church in Wautoma, WI.  Gene’s grandfather Herman F. Grimm I was a founder of the First Trinity Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Raland and Gene were the first couple to be married in the new church.

They were blessed with three children; daughter Janet K. (John) Shimniok of Waunakee, and two sons James R. (Daphne) Kohnke, Milwaukee, WI and Rev. Dr. Kevin J. (Candy) Kohnke, Lincoln, NE. She is also survived by six grandchildren Megan (Jake) Christensen, Nicole and Jaime Kohnke, Milwaukee; John Shimniok II, Waunakee, and Grace and Mary (Andrew Haase fiancé of Mary) Kohnke, Lincoln, NE; one sister Ramona Weil, San Antonio, TX and two brothers Elver “Rusty” (Sue) Grimm, Wautoma, WI and Jeffrey (Kelly) Grimm, Tucson, AZ, two aunts Pearl Grimm Johnson and Caroline Grimm Pitcher of Wautoma, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gene was preceded death by her husband of 54 years Raland on September 5, 2012, her parents and two brothers, Michael and Ralph Grimm.

Gene worked for the U.S. Postal Service for twenty-eight years.  She was an active volunteer in numerous church and community projects, enjoyed reading, puzzles, and her grandchildren most of all.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Kevin J. Kohnke officiating.  Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Burial will be in the Westfield East Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church or an organization of donor’s choice.

The Family would like to thank Darci and the Divine Savior Hospital and Agrace Hospice for the care and respect they showed Gene.  In addition, the family thanks Karen Henke for her faithful mail delivery and home to curb waste management services.

Please take a moment to view the online guestbook.  Send your condolences or share a memory of Gene with her family & friends.