SUMNER — Joan Ruth Kohagen, 83, of Sumner, died unexpectedly Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, leaving a large family who treasured her attention, kindness and love.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, at St. John Lutheran Church, 324 E. First St., Sumner, with the Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, at Becker & Son Funeral Home, 111 W. Fifth St., Sumner. Visitation will continue at the church from 9:00 a.m. until Tuesday’s service. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for later designation.
Born December 4, 1942, at the Waverly Hospital, Joan was the daughter of Edward and Marie (Hoodjer) Brocka. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Readlyn and attended Fremont No. 1 country school near Tripoli before graduating from Tripoli High School in 1961.
Joan married Larry Duecker, and they became parents to five children: Gary, Sherry, Brenda, Karen and Mandy. The marriage later ended in divorce.
During her years in Tripoli, Joan worked with the local schools and held cleaning jobs in homes and at the post office. Her careful approach and strong work ethic showed in the spaces she maintained.
Faith was another steady part of her life. She belonged to Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli, where she taught Bible School. After moving to Sumner in 1989, she joined St. John Lutheran Church.
Joan and Darrol Kohagen married at St. John on August 27, 1993, with the Rev. John Sorenson officiating.
At home, Joan combined practical skills with creativity. She had a gift for growing plants, enjoyed keeping her surroundings beautiful and orderly, and drew interior designs for homes. Her eye for detail carried into the things she created and cared for.
Time with her grandchildren brought particular happiness. Her family describes a loving, attentive woman who took a deep interest in the people closest to her.
Joan is survived by her husband, Darrol, of Sumner; children, Gary Duecker of Minden, Nevada, Sherry Dietz of Plainfield, Brenda (Jay) Brase of Waverly, Karen (Phillip) Luebke of Boulder, Colorado, and Mandy (Tim) Heinemann of Waverly; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Her surviving stepchildren are Shawn (Kim) Kohagen of Tripoli, Kimberly Nuss of Readlyn, Stephanie (Doug) Dicken of Waterloo and Jennifer Wittenburg of Readlyn. She also leaves eight step-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren.
Other survivors include her brother, Leroy Brocka, and sister, Lois (Terry) Jordan, both of Sumner; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Maxine Brocka of Tripoli, Virgil (Tina) Kohagen of Waterloo, Joel Kohagen of Readlyn, Diane (Mark) Rourke of Fairbank and Nancy Kohagen of Readlyn; and many nieces, nephews and extended relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Christopher Judsich; son-in-law, Brian Dietz; brothers, James and Roger Brocka; and relatives by marriage, Marilyn Brocka, Ronald Kohagen, Marlene Barnes and Carolyn (Ronald) Lohmann.
Family and friends may share memories and condolences through Joan’s obituary at Becker & Son Funeral Homes.
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