Helene M. Kohn

Helene Kohn (nee Maas) passed peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 10th, 2023, surrounded by her immediate family and hospice caregivers.

Helene was born Helene Margaret Maas on April 17, 1935, to Emma and Herbert Maas of Markesan. She was the youngest of five children. As a child, Helene attended several one room schools in the Randolph/Fox Lake area. She graduated from Randolph High School in 1953 and was her class’s salutatorian as well as class president. She went on to earn her teaching degree from Columbia County Teachers College in Columbus. While attending, she was introduced by a mutual friend to her future husband, David Kohn. They married on August 2, 1958 at County Line Lutheran Church near Markesan. After David’s return from the Army, they moved to their farm on Highway G where Helene and David farmed together for over sixty years and raised their four children. Before her marriage, Helene taught in a one room school and after her marriage she substitute taught for many years. Helene enjoyed baking and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and especially enjoyed her field of sunflowers. Additionally, she was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aide organization, the general leader of Lakeside 4-H Club for many years and advocated for the reorganization of the local school district in the early 1970’s.

Helene is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, David. She was also a loving mother to her daughters Joy (Tim) Sellnow of Reeseville, Sue (Mike) Knowles of Irmo, SC; Holly of Reeseville and son, Kent (fiancée Laurie) of Lake Mills as well as 5 grandchildren, Alex (fiancée Meghan) Knowles, Hannah (Chris) Hennighan, Krista (Erik) Knowles, Jenna (fiancée Nick) Kohn and Christopher Kohn; 2 step-grandchildren, Michael (Michelle) Sellnow and Renata (Chad) Theis, 2 great grandchildren, Gabriella and Matthew Hennighan and 5 step great grandchildren, Emma and Cole-Sellnow and Ryli, Tripp and Croix Theis. She is also survived by her twin brother, Allen (Sally) Maas of Beaver Dam and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Edwin and Harold and her sister, Marilyn Davison.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 18 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, Reeseville. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am at the church. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.

The family would also like to express its appreciation and gratitude to Commonheart
Hospice services for the compassionate care they provided Helene.