Uncle John was always up for anything. We visited and someone mentioned (it could have been me) that they had read that you could not break a raw egg by squeezing it with one hand. So he went to the fridge and got a raw egg and handed it to me (the oldest cousin). "See if you can do it". So in their living room, over the couch, with cousin Chris holding a teacup underneath, I squeezed it.

Of course, it shattered and spewed raw egg all over the couch, the curtains and us. So the myth was also shattered. My Aunt Betty got a new couch and curtains later.

In subsequent years, we think the quote was that you couldn't break a raw egg if you pressed it from the top and bottom simultaneously. I, of course, had grabbed the egg around the middle. I was accused of having a ring on my hand, etc.

But the nose tic was Uncle Johnny's favorite thing to get us with (every time!).

We all miss his ever-present smile and teasing. A great man who is greatly missed.

Our Uncle Johnny always had a smile, a joke, and a twinkle in his eyes. Even though the Kofoeds lived 4 hours away from us growing up, we were able to have several family visits a year with our families.  He was warm,  welcoming and fun to be around.  He would show us his latest fish in his large aquarium, or his outdoor goldfish pond.  He was a man who was involved with his own family, often helping his son build his latest magic show prop, or working in the yard keeping it neat and trim. He and Aunt Betty welcomed Grandma Elizabeth Koch into their home for many years when she was widowed, keeping her warm and safe in her declining years.  He enjoyed his golf and bowling activities and his computer searches.  May he rest in peace in heaven with loved ones now, as his time on earth is over.  I will always remember him with great fondness and am thankful to have had him for my Uncle.  Kathy McClintic

Your Father was a gift to everyone who met him. Our sincere condolences to you and your entire family.   
Dean, Patti, & Bobby Lakten

I feel so blessed to have known John. He was always fun, kind and accepting of all of us whose lives touched his. . My prayer is that you'll feel peace as your lives go on with out him.  Sending love to you all.

John was a sweet, caring man!  He always had a smile and the best hugs! Being in his company, brought joy and happiness into your life.  He will be missed!

Elaine and Stan Robin

I love a good thunderstorm. The smell in the air, the rumble of thunder, the trees swaying in the wind. It reminds me of sitting on the front stoop with my father feeling safe and loved and knowing that everything was taken care of. How I wish I could go back to that now. He was by his own account a loner but never lonely. He was always surrounded by people and he was the life of the party. He had a way of making everyone feel noticed and appreciated.

He was a big jokester, a tease. My cousins will remember his saying “what’s that on your shirt?” and following it with a tic on the nose. Teasing was his way of making others feel relaxed or included. It worked and they loved him for it. That was how my parents met- when everyone was horsing around and my mother drifted away, Dad went to find her and brought her back into the circle.
He worked hard and provided for his family. We all went on to get college educations and he marveled. He was a sheet metal mechanic and took classes at night to become a computer programmer- only to be turned away because he earned too much as a blue collar worker- the humble, modest foundation of a successful society.

What little time off he had he enjoyed working with his hands at carpentry, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family. It seems a simple life but one with far reaching effects- like the ripples on a pond. He loved us, we loved him. He will be missed

OBITUARY

John Patrick Kofoed

August 12, 1927 – November 30, 2020

Woodstock Funeral Home

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