Jo Ann Koehler

Jo Ann (Lewis) Koehler passed away on December 23, 2025 due to complications of the flu. Jo was born June 16, 1935, in Eureka, Kansas to Ralph and Opal Lewis.  She was the youngest of three siblings, including her brother Dick and sister Virginia.  Her family moved to Oklahoma in 1942. Growing up in Oklahoma Jo was an avid member of the Tulsa Arena figure skating club and played French Horn in the marching band. 

While on leave from the Air Force, her brother brought home his best friend, Donald Koehler. This visit was the beginning of Don and Jo’s love story. After Jo graduated from Claremore High School, she married Don on August 30, 1953.  They then moved to Walla Walla, WA. In 1955 they moved to the Koehler Family wheat farm, near Ritzville.

Jo gave birth to three sons; Carl 1954 (Karen), LeRoy 1957 (Debi), and her favorite, David 1961 (Desi).

In 1964 they moved to Ritzville where they found their forever home and raised their family. Don became a city patrol officer and in 1968 became Ritzville Chief of Police, until retiring in 1981. Jo worked for the Ritzville School District where she drove bus for 35 years.  She loved the children that rode her bus like they were her own.  She also worked at Rummer’s clothing store for many years.

They were Married 53 years until Don passed February 26, 2006. In 2013 Jo moved to Orchard Crest Retirement Community, in Spokane Valley, until her passing. 

  Jo continued a strong connection to Oklahoma with a great love for her many nieces, nephews and her extended family.

Jo is survived by her three sons and their spouses, as well as six grandchildren: Amber, Stephanie, Brandi, Kristyn, Kendall and Kenneth. S

he was also blessed to be a Great Grama ten times. 

Everyone is invited to Jo Ann’s Celebration of Life on what would have been her 91st birthday, June 16th, at Ritzville Emanual Lutheran Church. The service will start at 11:00 AM, with a light reception following.  Donations in her memory can made to Emanual Lutheran Church, in Ritzville, WA.