In Memory

Ann Houdyshell (Koehler)

Ann Houdyshell (Koehler)

The Topeka Daily Capital

Monday, May 10, 1965

Ann H. Koehler, 22, Dies: Rites Tuesday

Mrs. Ann Houdyshell KOEHLER, 22, 4501 E. 6th, died of Hodgkin's disease Sunday, May 9, 1965 at a Kansas City hospital. She was born March 17, 1943 in Topeka and spent most of her life in Topeka. She was graduated in 1961 from Highland Park High School where she was the Highlander Yearbook queen, a cheerleader and a member of the Student Council.

Survivors include her husband, Douglas H. Koehler, at home; a daughter, Kelly Ann Koehler, at home; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.S. HOUDYSHELL, Route 4; and three sisters, Mrs. Gilbert ANDERSON, 619 Taylor, and Sue Houdyshell and Janie Houdyshell both of Route 4.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home with burial in Mount Calvary Cemetary. Rossary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

 



 
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02/03/11 10:04 PM #1    

Linda Newton (Gilbert)

 My dearest and best friend ~ we were inseparable in grade school and high school and there isn't a month go by that she doesn't come to mind.  We shared so many joyous and fun times together and she knew all my secrets and always had the best advice. (We were so very young and innocent).

I remember like yesterday when Ann started dating Doug Koehler.  Doug called me every night trying to get up his nerve to ask her out.  Finally, I suggested we just happen to show up at the Delta after a football game and we would run in to Doug and Paul (Derda) like it was an accident.  I also talked to Ann every day and night as we were also being sneaky trying to get Doug to notice her.  They finally got together and never were apart from that time on.  

 I lost contact with her for awhile and then when she became ill I tried to see her as often as I could.  The day she passed away I thought my family was going to have to put me in the hospital as I was pregnant with my first child.  That was the saddest day of my life!  I stayed in touch with Doug as often as I could and whenever there was a '60 class reunion, I got to catch up with him then too.  Ann and I always would spend the night and talk way into the wee hours of the morning.  I remember we decided on the names of our children and had such wonderful plans to have them grow up as friends, just like us.  Kelly was born and that is when they discovered that Ann was ill.  

I don't remember the year Doug passed away but I was living in Kansas City and would not have missed his funeral for the world.  It was like a scene out of the movie "Big Chill" where all the friends came home for a classmate's funeral; Dennis Nelson, Paul Derda, Chuck, Sally Smith, everyone that knew and loved him were there.  I walked into the reception after the funeral and looked across the room and it was like Ann was in the room as Kelly, their daughter, looked exactly like her.  I remember feeling week in the knees like I was going to pass out.  That made me so very happy to meet her and share with her all the wonderful memories of her mother.  Later I sent her pictures, articles, keepsakes, etc. that Ann and I had shared.

 

I miss you dear friend and will never forget the friendship we had; there has never been another like it for me.


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