Edward F. Kohner
June 15, 1930 - March 6, 2011

"Jane and Family We were sadden to hear of Ed's passing. I will always remember the near "hole in one" he missed on the 6th hole as we were standing on the 7th tee watching, it was actually hanging over the edge of the hole. We will also remember and miss the great sauerkraut and other meals that he prepared for us in the clubhouse at Lily Lake. It was a sad day when our resident chef and Jane left and headed back home. May God comfort you at this most difficult time. Jim and Norma"

"I am sorry to hear of Ed's passing. I remember the love and friendship he had for my parents, Buck and Margaret. My deepest sympathy to the entire family."

"I met Ed when I was 10 years old. I was in Winona with family while my Uncle Al Haddad was dying of cancer. I stayed with my cousins who lived next door to the fire station. I met Ed then and he was so kind to me and when I returned home to California I began writing to him and he would respond. He was my "penpal" up through high school. I so looked forward to his letters in the mail as a child. He continued to keep track of me through relatives as I grew into adulthood. It's been a few years since I've had any contact. A cousin contacted me to let me know of his passing. I am so thankful for him. He made a little girl feel very special knowing that a fireman was writing her letters. My prayers are with the family."

"I'll always remember my uncle singing, whistling and smiling! He was so full of life and was one of the kindest people I knew. The crazy mooing noises he made and corny jokes could always make me laugh. Thank you Ed for being such a wonderful uncle! Aunt Jane, my heart and love goes out to you and all the family."

"Our thoughts, our prayers, and our hearts are with our Wonderful Winona Family today and always. You have brought so much warmth and joy to our lives. God loves you and so do we."

"Kohner family ~ Ed was bigger then life itself. If he didn't know someone he made it his job to get to know you. Always there to listen and help with what ever needed to be done. A job never went unfinished when he was in charge. He will be missed but will never be forgotten no matter where you are..... Ed was already there. He has left a hole but one that can be remembered with Wonderful memories and a picture perfect smile that can never fade. RIP Ed"

"My thoughts are with you Jane one of your students from 1970 Ruth Tollefson "

"So sorry to hear about Ed. Tried to call but we have an old number. Remembering all the good times at the Fire Chiefs Conferences, trips to Door County, and Ed's great cooking.. You guys were great. I will try to get a phone number and talk to Jane later. Unable to attend the services as we are in FL. "

"So sorry to hear about Ed. Tried to call but we have an old number. Remembering all the good times at the Fire Chiefs Conferences, trips to Door County, and Ed's great cooking.. You guys were great. I will try to get a phone number and talk to Jane later. Unable to attend the services as we are in FL. "

"I remember so many things about my uncle that it's hard to choose just one. But what I always knew and still know is that he and aunt Jane have always made us welcome when we could come to visit. The very first time we were there it was about 8am. We were still asleep downstairs and all of a sudden the door flew open and Ed started singing to the tune of a bugle! That was our wake up call. I still laugh at that now and it became a thing we looked forward to hearing when we visited. With Ed you always knew where you stood and how much you were loved. I had the pleasure over the years of seeing him show his love to his wife and kids in so many ways. Always smiling. Oh how I wished that we lived closer so that I could spend more time with he and aunt Jane. Ed was loved by so many people in so many ways that I'm sure God will tell him what we all hope to hear when we meet him. "Well done my child". I love you uncle Ed."

"I remember visiting my dad at the station, and it was always a happy treat when I got to see "cap'n kohner". He was a great guy and will be missed by many. My prayers are with you. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Ed was a man who truly lived life to the fullest. I was truly blessed to have been able to work with Ed in my early years as Fire Chief of the Goodview Fire Dept. My condolences to his family and God Bless."

"I am so pleased and honored to have had the pleasure to work with Ed. I looked forward to going to work everyday because of Ed and the firefighters. I was usually greeted with such kindness and joy. Ed and I shared many laughs together. I remember him fondly and the best "boss" I ever had working for the City of Winona. He was truly a man of faith and I will miss him terribly. Love to you, Jane, and your family. May Ed rest in peace and may you find comfort in the joyful memories of such a wonderful man."

"To the family of Eddie Kohner. I always remember the good times my dad (Sonny Ehlers) had with Eddie. They would do lots of bantering with each other and dad had so many good stories to tell about Eddie. I remember my dad taking me over to Eddie's house to show me his puppies that Ed would raise. Dad would tell me about how he would give Ed's hunting dogs cookies for treats and Ed would get after him saying that dad is going to make his dogs fat. Both dad and Ed are having a great time together in heaven. Jolie (Ehlers) Wood"

"It was a honor to have worked under Chief Kohner's command. Not only was he a fantastic leader, he was also a compassionate and caring individual. He left his mark on everyone and every thing that he came in contact with.....there will always be his legacy to remember."

"Jane and family, I send my deepest sympathy.I have many fond memories.I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Dee Dee Brown"

"Dear Kohner family - I'm so sorry about the loss of your husband and father. It is never easy to lose those we dearly love. He was a wonderful man - that's obvious. My memory was when I would be at the house with Lynn and if he was there, he always had a friendly word or just clown around with us. It was so obvious he loved his family. You were lucky to have him and to be able to enjoy each other, through life's difficulties. I'm so sorry he is gone. Bless you all. Love, Mary"

"I had the good fortune to work with Ed on the emergency planning committee when I worked in Lewiston. He led the committee well for many years as he did so for so many other community activities in Winona and Winona County. If there ever was a Mr. Winona it was Ed."

"Although I only spoke to Ed a handful of times, his personality, wit and sense of humor is what made him a memorable and influential person. His many accomplishments and supportive roles in our community have shaped the lives of many people and organizations forever. Thanks Ed, Rest in Peace! My sympathies to all of Ed's family and many friends. May the good Lord's continued blessing, strength and comfort be yours in this difficult time."

"Jane,Dan,Laurie and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as they always are but especially at this time. Ed was such a special person. We always looked forward to seeing him at our parties in Milwaukee. No one could tell a story like Ed. Rest in peace Ed and God bless all of you."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kohner family. Keep your memories alive by sharing and retelling them. God Bless you all!!!"

"Jane, Dan, Laurie,, Katie and all. Know you are in my thoughtss and prayers. Wish I coould be with you. Ed was the big brother I never had. I will miss him so.Know you aaaare loved. Jean"

"I was glad to have met Ed and got to know him while I was the Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Winona Fire Department. Always a sad day when we lose a brother firefighter and chief fire officer. Our hearts and prays are with Ed's family, the City of Winona and members of the Winona Fire Department. Lewis Austin and family"

"Ed Kohner was a true all-American HERO !! I read with the wonder all the hours and love he gave to his community, family, friends and his country. I knew he was also a man of deep faith and attended daily Mass whenever he could. Despite all his love and charity to those around him he was not puffed up or sanctimonius in manner. I loved his sense of humor,stories and warmth and of course, the food. We shared recipes and proudly our Luxembourger heritage. I offer my love and prayers for Jane and Lori, Dan and all the Kohners. Ed leaves a lot of sad hearts. I am having a hard time accepting that I cannot be there.-- my heart will be. Terese S. Miller"

"I remember quite vividly Uncle Ed picking me up at a very early age and taking me out to his chicken farm. It was just the two of us driving down the road and I thought it kind of odd because this had never happened before but as we drove down the road Ed was whistling, and I thought, I have never heard anyone whistle that well, nor since for that matter. Then he broke into song and sang a ditty that was astonishing. I often wondered why that happened. I mentiond this too my wife today and she said, "Was that about the time you burned down your garage?" Ahhhh so now it becomes more clear. When we got to the chicken farm I witnessed Ed walk through a sea of chickens, bending down every now and then and grabbing a chicken so quick you could barely see the grab and spin. In his wake dead chickens. "Those fearless men but few, that bore the light, so that freedom might, shine through..." Miss you Ed."

"Ed and Jane were our next-door neighbor in Knopp Valley and frankly, we have never had such a good neighbor before or since! Ed would bring over treats: morel mushrooms he had found (but he would NEVER tell us where), cooked walleye, etc. The best thing Ed and Jane shared was their grand-daughter, Katie, who was a fast friend of our daughter, Sara. While Katie and her dad lived with Ed and Jane she was a huge part of our lives. Inviting their son-in-law and granddaughter to live with them after the death of their daughter shows in great ways, how they were willing to open their hearts. Before Ed was appointed Fire Chief he worked different shifts and so was often home during the day. Sue was home too and often Ed and Sue were the only adults on Hillside Court in Knopp Valley. We'd meet in the back yard while Sue was hanging laundry or Ed was playing and training our favorite Black Lab, Bo-Bo. Sue has always treasured those conversations. We often wondered if the "yard perfectionists" Ed on one side and Merlin on the other, would mow right to the middle of our yard so we wouldn't have to mow at all - they always kept inching over and we never complained. One day Bob was moving the yard with a threatening thunderstorm coming. He heard another lawn mower: Ed was there helping to make sure the whole yard was done before it rained. That was typical, not extraordinary. It's hard to think that Ed, who had so much vitality, is gone. But he rests with his God and that is good. "

"sincere sympathy & thoughts."

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Ed's entire family at this sad time. He will be sorely missed by all who have had the privilege to meet him - and that means much of Winona. I cherish my memories of him. May God bless you and keep you..."

"We will fondly remember Ed in the kitchen at the Polish Heritage Lodge making potato pancakes. And, they were just like the ones our mom used to make for our family. He loved being in the kitchen in the middle of it all. He was so friendly and so much fun to be around. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jane, Laurie and Dan. He was a very wonderful man and I know he will be greatly missed!"

"Dear Kohner Family, What a great man, I am truly sorry for your loss. Ed was a very special and unique individual. Not only did he leave behind a legacy, his greatest gift was just being who he was. The way he would say your name and have that twinkle in his eye when he said it, always made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. He shared so many of his gifts; sitting down for an Ed Kohner meal was like going to your favorite Restaurant, he would put so much warmth in the heart. (I still have not found a better potato pancake and I am sure I never will.) You could not wait to sit down and hear an Ed Kohner story; he invited you in to his passions, and you loved every second of it. He did so many great things in his life, that he is truly an inspiration. Most importantly, he raised a beautiful family that continues to be so caring and will always carry on Ed's legacy. God Bless "

"I remember Lynn when she taught school in Houston and how proud she was of her Dad. My sympathy to the family"

"Ed I smile when I think about the fantastic pickled eggs that you made and Isaiah wanting to eat them, one after another because they were Grandpa's eggs and so nummy. And that twinkle in your eye when you would come home with an opened package of Ledebuhr hot dogs minus one, because you just had to eat a cold one on the ride home. That twinkle in your eyes and your warm heart will always remain a part of my life. To Jane and the family, if my hug was strong enough to take away your pain, I would start now and never stop."

"Dear Kohner family, We are so sorry for your loss. Ed was such a wonderful and caring man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Mark & Tina Anderson and family"

"I always thought that Ed was the greatest. No one could tell a joke or make other laugh as well as Ed. I was always happy to be in his company. I would like to send my my sincerest condolences to Jane, the children and all other family members. Sylvia Wright"