Owen Koehler

January 14, 1933 - September 11, 2019

Owen Richard Koehler, 86, of Traverse City, formerly of Twin Lake, passed away September 11, 2019. Owen was born to the late Paul and Bertha (Zwicker) Koehler on January 14, 1933. He was one of four children. In the middle of summer, he met his future bride down at the lake on a swimming raft. He was an avid swimmer. After that first encounter they shared 63 years of memories and laughs together. Throughout their marriage he protected his wife and stuck by her side. Owen was dedicated to his family and to his work spending 36 years employed at Geerpress Wringer. He can best be described as a real character. He had a generous spirit and was very resourceful. His love for dogs always gave way for a family pet. He was dependable and predictable and always there if you needed something and sometimes even if you didn’t. He loved to shop for hours, but usually for sweets and you would find it difficult to see him sit idle. He was always tinkering with something. His faith was very important to him and he instilled that in his family. His love for the Lord never waivered. Even though he found it difficult to say, "I love you" in younger years he softened as he got older and often shared love openly. He will be missed dearly by those that knew him. Owen is survived and missed by his loving wife Bunny, his children; Lorin (Ai “Chikko”), Monte (Lori Mattson), Brenda Pepper and Connie (Ralph) Hintsala, 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and brother Robert. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Neil, sister Grace, sister in law Naomi and son in law Alva Pepper. A funeral service to honor Owen’s life will take place at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen on Tuesday September 24, 2019 at 11:00am with visitation one-hour prior. Those wishing an expression of sympathy may choose to do so to the Lutheran Bible Translators in Owen’s honor. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with the family. Owen and his family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.