Joan Averill Kohler

Joan was born on March 25, 1931, in Portland, Oregon, to parents Harold Hadley LeFevre and LaDona Averill Swank LeFevre.

Joan graduated from U. S. Grant High School in 1949, and later earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Science and Education from Southern Oregon State College in Ashland, Oregon.

In 1977, Joan married Kenneth Kohler in Amarillo, Texas. They shared many happy years of marriage until his passing in 2011.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two grandsons: Brian Emmrich and Brandon Emmrich.

Joan is survived by her sister: Babette Smith of Amarillo, Texas; three children: Kenneth Emmrich of Culver, Oregon, Jeffrey Emmerich of Henderson, Nevada, and Theresa Clark of Bend, Oregon; six grandchildren: Kevin Emmrich of Salem, Oregon, Benjamin Emmrich of Rogers, Minnesota, Holly Emmerich of Manhattan, Kansas, Christopher Cameron of Bend, Oregon, Caleb Cameron of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Rebekah Cameron of Bend, Oregon; as well as 15 great-grandchildren.

Joan had a long career as an elementary school teacher. She also had a pilot’s license. Joan was a proud and longstanding member of the Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, prior to relocating to Henderson, Nevada in 2020.

Joan’s ashes are to be scattered at sea in Depoe Bay, Oregon.