Gayle Koehn

Gayle Ruth Finch was born January 29, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Guy and Ruth (Germundson) Finch. She was raised in Minneapolis and graduated from West High School. Following her schooling she did clerical work in a bank.

Gayle met Ronald Koehn through her cousin, who was Ron's best friend. On October 22, 1960 Gayle and Ron were united in marriage at the Catholic Church in Avoca, MN. They began their family in Avoca and were blessed with two children, Tim and Kristen. The family moved several times in their early years due to Ron's work. They lived in Brownton, St. Cloud and Minneapolis before settling in Sioux Falls, SD.

In 1981 Gayle and Ron bought a cabin on Lake Cowdry near Alexandria. In 1989 they purchased a home on Lake Le Homme Dieu, also near Alexandria. For many years the family spent much of the summertime in the Alexandria area.

Gayle enjoyed spending time reading books; she especially enjoyed murder mysteries. Gayle also liked playing cards and traveled to many warm destinations outside the United States with Ron.

On Sunday, November 27, 2016 Gayle died at the age of seventy-eight years. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Earl Finch. Gayle is survived by her husband, Ronald Koehn of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Tim Koehn of Bloomington, MN; daughter, Kristen Shomion and husband, Jim, of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Kaitlin Cantolla and husband, James, Andrew Koehn, Jessica Koehn and Riley Elmore; great grandchildren, Adalynn Cantolla and Aspen Cantolla; one brother, Steve Finch and wife, Laurie, of Blaine, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Entombment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home.