Don Edward Kohse

Don Edward Kohse, 87, died at Noon on October 11, 2011, at home, in the arms of his wife Joan, with his grandson Shane at his side. Joan told him to "sail away on that tugboat to meet with Jesus and those loved ones who went before him". Don was born August 3, 1924 in Chehalis Washington to Otto and Louise Kohse. He was 19 when he joined the US Army and fought in WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and awarded American Theater Service, European African Middle Eastern, Good Conduct and Victory Medals. He worked for the Maritime as Captain of a Tugboat, which he loved to talk about. He worked for the State of Washington DOT until his retirement when he was 66 years old. Don was a member of the VFW Post 7089 and Mason Grand Lodge both in Tumwater. Don was married to Maryella Jones for 16 years and divorced. They had five daughters, Kathleen (Brooks) Caldwell, Donnella (Terry) McClure, Wendy Helfrich, Jackie and Tammy Kohse Grandchildren, Aaron, Katy, Jonathan, Vanessa and Allison and 9 Great Grandchildren. Don married Joan (Lomax) Kauzlarich on August 28, 1964 and ended up with another daughter, Debra (Randy) Dalebout. Grandchildren, Shiloh and Shane Kauzlarich and Daytona and Dustyn Dalebout. Don is survived by those listed above, his wife Joan, brother Arden (Marie) Kohse and sister Margo (Frank) Murphy as well as his in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and his beloved cat, E.T. Cozy. Don was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Jackie, his mother and father and brothers Jack, Richard, David and Michael Kohse. He will be forever remembered for his huge vegetable gardens, his awesome garlic, his timeless stories, his amazing birdhouses he built and by all of the critters of the forest he fed every morning. Don read the Bible everyday and always said a prayer before he ate. There will be no services, however there will be a Family Celebration of Life in the Spring, because that is when you plant your garden. Memorial donations can be made in Dons name to Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice (thank-you for helping him on his final journey) or The Olympia Gospel Mission. Remembrances can be left at Legacy.com. Don will be laid to rest at Mills and Mills Garden of Honor in Tumwater. Absent from the body present with the Lord. "Take Her On A Slow Bell" until we see each other again