Bernard "Butch" Kohnen

SHELDON, MN: Bernard (Butch) W. Kohnen Jr., 80, of Sheldon, MN passed away peacefully on October 6, 2024, at Valley View Health Care & Rehabilitation in Houston, MN. 

Butch W. Kohnen Jr. was born June 10, 1944 to Bernard Sr. and Marie Kohnen in Spring Grove, MN. Butch attended Caledonia Schools and on March 23, 1965 he enlisted in the United States Army and attended his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. He was stationed in Baumholder, Germany during the Vietnam War and worked in the motor pool. During his service, he received an expert badge on the rifle range. He was honorably discharged on February 29, 1968 at the rank of E5. He was a member of the Caledonia American Legion. Butch had the honor to be on the 30th Freedom Honor Flight on May 4, 2024, we are so grateful that he was able to take that trip to Washington D.C., he truly enjoyed every minute of that day. 

On February 22, 1969 he married the love of his life Caryn Hahn at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, MN. Butch was known for his excellent masonry skills, early in his career he worked at Standard Lumber, Nelson Construction and Stadtler Masonary, but he spent many of his years working for Rusty Berger Masonry, Inc. out of Waukon, IA. Even after he retired, he continued to do little projects for family and friends. He was an avid horseshoe player and for many years he and Caryn would run the horseshoe tournament at the Houston Hoedown Celebration. As horseshoes became a thing of the past, he took up cornhole instead and quickly became a master at that, playing in many local tournaments. Most recently he and his daughter Tammy won the Caledonia Founders Day tournament. 

Butch loved being outdoors, whether it was sitting on his front porch drinking his coffee & watching the traffic go by, going for his daily walks, cutting wood, fishing, camping, driving the countryside, the Sheldon “safety meetings”, 4-wheeling or hunting in the fall with his buddies. He was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and Mark Martin fan. He found joy in cooking, baking, grilling and wine making and was never afraid to try a new recipe. Many family and friends would reap the benefits of his excellent cooking and wine making. 

He enjoyed the company of family and friends and his special cat, “Bud.” He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Butch is survived by his children: Tammy (Marc), LaCrescent, MN, Dan (Jessica), Spring Grove, MN and Jessup (Lisa), Rushford, MN. Grandchildren: Chelsey, Riley and Elin. His siblings, Betty Schmitz and Elmer (Linda) Kohnen, both of Caledonia, MN. His siblings-in-law: Barbara (Allen) Erickson, Lanesboro, MN, Marshall Hahn, Spring Grove, MN, Michael (Anita) Hahn, Mabel, MN, Linda (David) Hazelton, Winona, MN, Greg (Jill) Hahn, Freeburg, MN, Gordon (Dolly Pertzch) Hahn, Caledonia, MN, Rhonda (David) Betz, Spring Grove, MN, Darrel (Jeannie) Hahn, Spring Grove, MN, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Caryn, son Robert Kohnen, his parents Bernard Sr. and Marie Kohnen, his parents-in-law Wallace (Wally) & Carol Hahn, brothers-in-law David Schmitz, Duane Hahn and Scott Hahn. Grandparents William and Alma Kruger & William and Rose Kohnen. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, MN with the Reverend Dana Jackson officiating. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m., Wednesday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service, Houston, MN and one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in the Stone Church Cemetery, Houston, MN with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. 

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Valley View Health Care & Rehabilitation and St. Croix hospice for their wonderful care and compassion.

Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service – Houston is assisting the family. www.hofffuneral.com.