Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Housewife

MARGARET married Miller, Donald L on 30 Nov 1945 in Schaller, Sac, Iowa, USA. Donald (son of Miller, Christian and Lubbert, Henrietta Sophia) was born on 28 Nov 1923 in Cleghorn, Cherokee, Iowa, USA; died on 15 Aug 1996 in Alexandria, Douglas, Minnesota, USA; was buried on 18 Aug 1996 in Masonic Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Teacher
• Cremated: Aft 15 May 2018, Boone, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Ellen L. Kohtz, 69, of Albion, NE, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at her home in Albion, NE.

Visitation in honor of Ellen will be on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 from 4-7 p.m. at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE. Inurnment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion, NE at a later date.

Ellen L. Kohtz, daughter of Donald and Margaret (McQuigg) Miller, was born July 11, 1948 at Paullina, IA. She lived many places with her family, moving for her father’s work. She spent many summers with her grandparents on a lake in Minnesota where she learned to water ski and fish; skills that she spent her lifetime enjoying. In 1966, she graduated from Beatrice High School in southeast Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and graduated with distinction in 1970.

On May 31, 1969, Ellen married James H. Kohtz at Lincoln, NE. They made their home in Lincoln, where Ellen began her 44 year career teaching English at Pius X High School. They moved to Albion in 1978, where she continued teaching high school and middle school English classes at Albion Public School (later Boone Central School), retiring in 2014. Along with her love of teaching, she had a great passion for the art of Speech and coached many individuals and teams to championship titles. She was coordinator of the annual Color Day Coronation for many years, dedicated countless hours writing grant proposals to secure funds for various organization and causes, along with serving many years on the Nebraska State Education Association Negotiation Committee. In addition to teaching, she was a lifelong learner. She enjoyed taking classes in the summer and spent much of her free time reading books.

Ellen had many interests and hobbies, which she typically participated in with her husband Jim. They enjoyed taking in events regularly at the Omaha Symphony and the Omaha Playhouse. They traveled extensively throughout North America, along with trips to Europe, Asia, Central America, South America and Iceland visiting interesting places, but Machu Picchu in Peru and the country of Switzerland, were some of her favorites. Above all else, her family was most important to her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jim Kohtz of Albion; three sons: Chris (Heather) Kohtz of Albion; Jeff Kohtz of Albion; Phil Kohtz of Cheongju, South Korea; two granddaughters: Lauren and Kathryn Kohtz of Albion; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James D. Miller and his wife Sheryl Miller.

Ellen married Kohtz, Jim [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Insurance Investment Business

Notes:

For any of you who were unable to attend Jim's memorial service today, I wanted to attach the eulogy my husband, Pete, wrote for his good friend. Thank you again to Jay Walker for reading this in Pete's absence. In spite of the great sadness we all felt, it was a beautiful service. RIP Big JIm.

Here is the letter that was read:

I first met Jim in the summer of 1982 when I was working at Bud’s Amoco in Huxley, IA. As I am sure all of you will agree, meeting Jim for the first time is something you never forget. I remember standing in amazement as this huge truck with speed-boat attached pulled in for gas. As I walked out to his truck, I remember his boat had a motor big enough for 3 boats and enough beer coolers in the back for a spring break beach party. I was sure I couldn’t have been more in awe until from behind the gas pump appeared a giant of a man who reached out with a hand so big that when he shook mine it felt more like he was shaking my arm.
Immediately, he began asking me everything about my past- where I grew up, where I went to school and who my parents where. When Jim asked you something about your past he never forgot it. Little did I know that this day was the beginning of a friendship that would last for many years.
Over the next 6 years, I looked forward to the weekly conversations I had with Jim when he stopped in at the gas station. I can remember the day I told Jim that I was moving to Iowa City to attend Medical school at the University of Iowa. I am sure each of you can imagine the lecture I received from Jim, who everyone knows was a die-hard ISU alum. I must admit I took a verbal beating, but I also remember how proud he was of me when he shook my hand and wished me the best.
I always thought our paths would meet again, but little did I know it would be at one of Rick Putska’a wild game feeds and over a bowl of split beaver-tail soup. I can remember how happy I was to see Jim again but also how impressed I was that he remembered almost everything we had talked about 6 years prior. It was also at this time when I first met Sheryl. Over the next 20 years, Jim and Sheryl became close friends with my wife, Liz, and me. The memories we created together are some of the most cherished we have. Boating trips down the Mississippi river and fishing trips up in Ashland, Minnesota were always filled with Jim’s constant joking and laughter.
Jim just had a way of having fun and making those around him feel lucky to have him as a friend. It was fun to sit and have a beer with Jim, who commanded the room and the people around him, because he just enjoyed people. I must say I learned quickly that trying to keep up with Jim beer-for-beer was like trying to win the Boston Marathon by crawling thru the entire race… Impossible!
I always knew when Jim stopped by the clinic to visit. His voice and the laughter he created carried itself thru the office as Jim made his rounds from the front staff to the back offices. No one was safe when it came to his jokes about how short we all were or how we never let him eat the foods he wanted. Jim talked tough, but my nurses all said he was just a big Teddy Bear. It was obvious that Jim loved people, but it is more apparent that people loved Jim. He was always generous with his time, his resources, his compliments and a lesson for us all on how to live life to the fullest.
Everyone who knew Jim realized that two of his loves where hunting and fishing but more than these, his true loves in life where his wife Sheryl and his children. It was impossible to have a conversation with Jim that didn’t include him bragging about his family and their adventures and accomplishments. You young people made him so proud. Bryce, Janae and D.J., I hope you know that. I know he would want you to pick up and move ahead in a positive direction, in spite of the obvious hardships you have endured in the past few years, you can do this with the love and assistance from your family and friends. We’re all here for you.
And we all know how much he loved Sheryl-taking such protective and loving care of her as she battled brain cancer for 5 years and holding his family together through it all. To Jim, family meant everything, and it was obvious that Sheryl and his children were on a pedestal that only Jim was tall enough to reach.
We all have our own memories that we created with Jim. Whether he was your family member, your Ankeny High School or ISU basketball teammate, your insurance agent, your financial advisor, your hunting, fishing or boating friend, your neighbor, or just your friend--he wore many hats for sure. Fortunately for us, there will always be moments in our lives that will make us relive these memories and make us smile, but more importantly; make us realize that we are all better people because Jim was a part of our lives. It is these memories that we will cherish and hold onto so Jim will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Until we meet again, I will miss you my friend.

James married Knudsen, Sally in UNKNOWN, and was divorced in 1995. Sally was born in UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Waal, Sheryl Vander on 31 Jul 1998 in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, USA. Sheryl was born on 8 Jul 1964 in Pella, Marion, Iowa, USA; died on 9 Apr 2016 in Israel Family Hospice House, Ames, Story, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mary Miller
• Residence: 2022, Ankeny, Polk, Iowa, USA

Notes:

Mary M. Wennerstrum
Obituary

Mary M. Wennerstrum
Des Moines - Mary was born in Sioux Falls, SD to Donald L. and Margaret (McQuigg) Miller. After moving several times, the Miller's settled in Ankeny where Mary graduated from Ankeny High School.
Mary attended Iowa State for a year, and then DMACC, where she graduated with her Assoc. Arts in Lib Arts, this is also where she met her husband to be, Brook.
Mary took after her Grandma 'Hattie' and was a consummate gardener, constantly planting vegetables and canning produce annually.
Married in 1980, living in the Des Moines area, son Jaimeson was born, shortly thereafter, a move to Boone, IA where Brian was born. Relocating to Des Moines before the boys were grade school age, remaining there in several different houses- always working on them- another 'hobby' picked up from her father- leaving them in better condition than which she found them.
Mary went back to DMACC and received her AA in Hotel/Motel management, with the idea of purchasing a resort. Locating a desirable property in N. Minnesota, which eventually fell through after moving to the locale, setting up house on an acreage. The garden spot was located with plenty of sun, with fantastic soil for root crops and berries, but a very short growing season. Mary also became a Worm Farmer, and Peddler of castings! The stay in MN was rather short, as Mary accepted a position with YFU in Des Moines.
Mary's interests varied widely, from theater and movies to gardening and fishing and politics. Most recently RV camping with a group that came to be known as the 'Tribe'. The outdoors and gardening were her escape and Spiritual place; but all those came behind her love for her grandchildren.
Mary is survived by husband Brook, sons Jaimeson (Maria) granddaughters Nina and Annika; son Brian (Michelle) and Claire and Colton.
Preceding her in death were parents Donald L Miller and Margaret Miller, sister Ellen Kohtz, and brother James D. Miller.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Feb. 19, 2022, at noon at 1400 Penn Ave., Des Moines.
Posted online on February 14, 2022
Published in Des Moines Register

Buried:
White House

Mary married Wennerstrum, Brook F [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Chris married Kohtz, Mrs Heather [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jaimeson married Heimdal, Maria Besonen [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Brian married Baldwin, Michelle [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]