Ann KOEHN

Enid News and Eagle Enid, Garfield Co., OK

04-12-2013

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

On Flag Day, June 14, 1938, Ernest Roy and Bothilda Myrle Broom Ashcraft received the blessing of a babe with a servant’s heart. Bothilda “Ann” Ashcraft Koehn was born on a farm near Ringwood, Okla. Her family moved to Enid, Okla., where she spent the next 65 years of her life. She was the youngest of five children. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Leonard.

As a child, Ann believed the flags flew on her birthday just for her. She loved the outdoors, climbing trees and spending her days with her neighborhood friends, who have remained friends throughout her lifetime. Ann always had a bountiful basket of friends, and everywhere she went she never met a stranger. Ann found her Savior at the age of 10, and spent 70 years of her life serving Him as a member of Central Assembly of God, formerly known as Northside Assembly of God in Enid, Okla. She went home to be with her Savior on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

Ann was blessed with three children, Meichelle Ann Wood, married to Richard Wood of Pittsburg, Kan., Carol Ann Crist of Aurora, Colo., and Marc Aaron Koehn, married to Renee Koehn of Enid, Okla., all of whom survive. She was blessed even further with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her GiGi. For many years, she served the church’s nursery, as children have always and to the day she left this earth, brought her great joy and happiness.

Ann is survived by Jim Dave Koehn, who she married on Jan. 2, 1961, in Enid, Okla. They spent the past 52 years together. After spending the first 51 years of their marriage in Enid, Okla., this past October 2012, they moved together to their daughter’s home in Pittsburg, Kan.

She is also survived by two brothers, Ernest Ashcraft of Tahlequah, Okla., and Leo Ashcraft of Mount Vernon, Texas, and one sister, Evalyn Thompson of Enid, Okla.

Her servant’s heart cared for many in her family as they grew old and needed a caregiver and helping hand. Many a dish of “leftovers” left her home to go next door to a neighbor who needed a meal, or an elderly member in the church who was alone. She served in the kitchen at her church for funeral dinners, anniversaries, birthday parties, and most of all for the Star Widows, as she said the elderly of the church were who she loved the most. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends who knew she could always be counted on for wonderful creative ideas for every event and for being a helping hand that never seemed to wear out. She may be best known in the Enid community for serving as a hostess for the “Heartland Share” for 10 years, because her heart felt love for all the folks who were struggling and in need of affordable food. A celebration of her life will be held at Central Assembly of God, 1202 W. Oxford, Enid, Okla., on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, 6405 Memorial Drive, Enid, Okla., under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home. Visitation with family will be 5:30-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.