Warren "Bud" Kohne

Warren (Bud) G. Kohne, 100, passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at St. Paul Villa. He was born on February 25, 1921, in So. Charleston, West Virginia, son of Floyd and Mary (Emswiller) Kohne. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, West Virginia Warren enlisted in the National Guards in 1939 and was deployed to guard the Panama Canal area where the U.S. feared the Japanese would build a fueling station. December 1941 he was inducted into the U.S. Army to serve our country during WWII in 2 theaters Pacific and European as an infantry rifleman. His time of service was spent in the New Guinea Island area battles. Upon returning to the U.S. in May of 1944 he enlisted into the U.S. Paratroopers where he served in the 17th Airborne Division. His service time was in the Wesel Germany campaign. PFC Kohne was Honorably Discharged September of 1945 earning 3 Battle Stars and several metals and ribbons and the Presidential Citation.

After the military the Kohne family moved from West Virginia to Wisconsin and opened a dry cleaning and laundry business in Neenah where he met his future wife and the love of his life. November 20, 1948, he married Betty J. Hopfensperger at St. Martin Ev. Lutheran Church in Neenah.

Warren worked at Combined Locks Paper Mill for 32 years until his retirement in 1983. He enjoyed helping people in need with his “jack of all trades and master of none” as he called it to help anyone with whatever tasks that needed to be done. His love of snow blowing sidewalks and mowing lawn for the neighbors was best. He also enjoyed watching Packer games and playing cards. He was a member of the VFW Post 3319 of Kaukauna and a member of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Warren is survived by his three children and their family’s; Philip (Kay) and two children; Michael, and Laura, Patricia and three children Sheila, Timothy and, Brian, Perry (Debbie) of Yatatah, AK two sons David and Adam. The grandchildren Michael (Andrea) Kohne son Jackson and daughter Sophia and Laura Kohne, fiancée Matt Stiltjes, Sheila Hermes Winton, daughter Alayna, Timothy Hermes, son Tyler, Brian Hermes, David (Katie) Kohne daughter Rosie, Adam (Cassidy) Kohne daughter Harper and son Grayson. Pamela Kaftanski who was proceeded in death before Warren her family of Robert deceased and daughter Robin (Michael) Dewalt daughter Lily and son Ryan.  He is further survived by sister Jaunita (Earl) Miller, Casper WY, five sister-in laws; Delores Blahnik, Laurel, MD., Alice Ruffing, Depere, WI, Sandra Schuh, Chilton, WI, Paula (Harold) Schneider, Hilbert, WI, Linda (Albert II) Zaletel, Sheyboygen, WI, and three brothers–in–law; Andrew (Linda) Hopfensperger Madison, WI, Randolph Hopfensberger, Reno, NV, Gerald Schroeder, Hilbert, WI, and their family’s numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years Betty, daughter Pamela Kaftanski, father and mother Floyd and Mary Kohne, brothers Lawrence and Olen “Ted” sister Joyce Bayer and triplet brothers who died at birth Jack, William and Lenord Kohne, sisters-in-law; Darlene Schroeder and Donna Stenz brother-in laws Francis Blahnik, Daniel Stenz, Matt Schuh and Charles Ruffing.

To my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Paster Walter Steinbach, good friends and neighbors, “Thank you for all your kindness and thoughtfulness you have given to Betty and I over the many, many years.” God Bless Warren.

One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after, “that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his house. Hear O Lord when I cry with my voice, have mercy also upon me and answer me.”          

The funeral service for Warren will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 3:00 PM at BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 124 W 10th St., Kaukauna.  A time of visitation will be held on Thursday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at the church.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.verkuilenfh.com.  In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in his name.  A special thank you to St Paul Elder Service Facility and staff for their loving care and kindness and also to St Paul Hospice for all of their care.  We also would like to thank the VFW (especially Mike Weaver) for the birthday honor guard and the final salute to dad.  Thank you to Community Care Inc. for their assistance and care.   

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