BUCKLIN – Kay Koehler, 86, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Grand Plains in Pratt. She was born on August 11, 1938, on the family farm in Phillips County near Long Island, the daughter of Lawrence and Frances (Atkinson) Covington.

Kay attended Long Island Schools and graduated from Long Island High School in 1956. After graduating high school, Kay worked as a teller at a local bank before moving to McPherson to be an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone. On August 25, 1962, she married Raymond Koehler at St. Joseph Catholic Church in McPherson. Kay and the family followed Ray for his milling career and ended up calling Bucklin home, where she was a bank teller for Farmers State Bank and the head cook for USD 459 in Bucklin until retiring.

Kay enjoyed family get-togethers, canning, cooking, crocheting, flowers, gardening, and sewing.  Most of all, Kay was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Greensburg.

Survivors include: 5 children, Marlin Koehler and companion Karen Wolfe, Kinsley; Andy Koehler and wife Laurel, Golden, Colorado; Anita Schmidt and husband Kent, Spearville; Alan Koehler and wife Kimberly, Pratt; and Lori Koehler and companion Russell Smith, Wichita; 10 grandchildren, Lesley Schmidt; James Schmidt; Craig Schmidt and wife Shelby; Lindsey Moore and husband Matt; Aaron Koehler and fiancé Alison Glockzin; Mariah Koehler; Lauren Koehler and fiancé Zach Henderson; Devon Koehler and fiancée Brynn Hoffman; Jadon Koehler and wife Kami; Peyton Koehler and fiancée Lauren Kolm; 9 great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Bob Covington and wife Linda, Almena; and Don Covington and wife Dixie, Galva.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Raymond, and a sister, Carol Hrabe.

The vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greensburg. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Thursday at the church with Fr. Joseph Tatro presiding.  Burial will follow in the Bucklin Cemetery. There will be no public viewing, the casket will remain closed.

The family suggests memorials to Bucklin USD 459 earmarked for the Food-4-Kids Program at Bucklin Schools in the care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.