It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, Boyd (Bud) Kohn, age 89 on December 20, 2021.  Dad's struggle with pneumonia ended peacefully in his sleep where he then entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior.  Dad was born in Waupun on August 10, 1932 to Tillie (nee Tygee) Kohn.  His mother was a source of strength and comfort until her death when Dad was 12 years old.  They struggled financially during the Depression but his mother held the family together with love and a Christian belief.  This is where Dad's strong foundation and values were founded.  After her death, Dad was placed in foster homes in three different states until he was finally adopted during his high school years by his aunt and uncle, William and Ivoe Kohn.  He attended Waupun High School where he lettered in basketball, football, baseball and track, graduating in 1950.

Dad attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh majoring in Biology and English.  He later was inducted into the Hall of Fame at UW-Oshkosh in 1982 for football, track and field, and basketball.  After his sophomore year of college, he entered the United States Navy, serving in Special Services.  While there, he played on a Championship football team at Pensacola, Florida and was on the All-Navy Football Team.  He returned to college, graduated in 1955 and married the love of his life, Joan (Mitchell) on December 17, 1955 in Marion, Wisconsin.  Dad's teaching career and coaching athletics started at Manawa High School for seven years.  He then taught and coached at the Northwestern Military Academy in Lake Geneva until 1966.  His final job was at Little Chute High School for 25 years, retiring in 1990.  Dad became a guidance counselor during his tenure at the high school along with coaching alongside his best friend, Mr. Fitzpatrick.

Dad loved the students and families at Little Chute and embraced his job as a teacher, guidance counselor and football coach with enthusiasm, positivity and genuine compassion.  He truly cared and would help a family in crisis even if it was in the middle of the night. Dad was named Wisconsin Counselor of the Year in 1983 and Wisconsin High School Teacher of the Year in 1984 (the first guidance counselor to receive that honor).  Dad had an amazing memory to see a student years later and remember their name along with other unique information about them.  It was very impressive!  Dad was honored to be given the Bud Kohn 110% Award in 2006.

Mom and Dad enjoyed their retirement years relaxing at their cottage on Pelican Lake, traveling, attending their grandchildren's events and sharing time together as a family.  Dad was always our biggest supporter and could always lighten a mood with one of his corny jokes!

Dad was a man of strong and steadfast faith despite the many challenges he endured in his early and later years of life.  He was a caretaker for others sometimes at the neglect of himself.  Unfortunately, caring for our mother with Alzheimers for several years took a toll and after some resistance,  Mom and Dad moved out of the Fox Valley to be near family to help care for Mom.  Dad missed the "back home" community and the people everyday.  Mom passed on March 17, 2020.

Dad is survived by his three daughters: Lori (Mark Vander Wielen), Wendy and Lisa (Jim Cyrak); his four grandchildren: Jamie (Steve Fritz), Lindsey (Dr. Kurt Mauer), Dylan and Ella; and his four great grandchildren: Bryli, Everet, Morgan and Addison.  We are blessed to have had such an amazing and inspirational father and grandfather. His unconditional love and support for his family will be treasured always.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan; mother, Tillie (Tygee) Kohn; his adopted parents, Ivoe and William Kohn; his in-laws, Percy Mitchell, Ella (Mitchell) and Carlyle Piehl; his three older siblings, Ralph Kohn, Keith Kohn and Bobette Hart; along with special friends, Bill and Marge Fitzpatrick and Beverly Reed.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH (124 W. 10 ^th Street, Kaukauna) beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. The Funeral will be held at 6:00 p.m. with the Rev. Walter Steinbach officiating.  Military honors, conducted by the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 and American Legion Post 41, will immediately follow.  Committal Roseland Cemetery, Marion.

The following is a special prayer (Benediction) he said with his granddaughter: "And now may the Lord bless you and keep you.  May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.  And may God give you His peace in your going out and in your coming in, in your lying down and in your rising up, in your labor and in your leisure, in your laughter and in your tears…Until you come to stand before JESUS in that day in which there is no sunset and no dawning."

Well done, good and faithful servant. You are now at peace but we will miss your presence everyday in our lives Dad, "Papa", "Papa Pal."  Until we meet again, "Nighty, Night", We Love You.