Harriett Yvonne Kostechka passed away peacefully, surrounded by the family that she loved, on June 9th, 2024, at the age of 70. Harriett was born on December 9th, 1953 in Fort Smith Arkansas to Robert and Shirley (Whitson) Bohn. Shirley passed away when Harriett was 10 years old on February 5th, 1964. Robert then remarried to Lora Nan (Guest) a short time later. She attended and graduated from Munich Germany High School. She met her future husband, Tom, at an Army dance in Germany. Harriett married Tom, the love of her life, on June 10th, 1972, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Reif Mills, WI. They were one day short of celebrating 52 years together.
In November of 1972 Harriett gave birth to their daughter, Shirley, in Germany before Harriett made the trip back to Wisconsin in December of 1972. Tom was able to join her about a month later. At the beginning they lived with Tom’s parents until they were able to purchase their dairy farm in March of 1973. Harriett originally worked at Lakeside Foods, due to being scared of the cows at first. She only lasted there a year when she decided to join Tom with tending to the farm. Early on in their farming career they hired a farm hand, Andy Thelen, who ended up being more like a son to them all these years. During her free time she enjoyed playing pool and actually joined a pool league team. Singing was a true passion of hers for many years. Harriett started her singing career with just herself and her guitar. Early on, Dan Granselke heard her singing and decided she was special and could go bigger. Dan helped escalate her singing career that lasted 25 years. During that time she met Debbi Frawley and Jimmy Dvorak who began singing with her at different times and became lifelong friends. She even went to Texas with her sister Kathy to record the song she wrote called Morning Sunshine. Harriett and her friend Barb Spaulding enjoyed playing many pranks together, they were known for always scheming to come up with the next thing. She was also known for being able to start up a conversation with absolutely anyone. Harriett loved tending to her flowers and yard art projects. Any chance she got you could find her sneaking away to try her luck on a gambling machine. Tom and Harriett purchased a cabin up north in 2006, where they met so many wonderful people. They truly enjoyed their trips up north. On their 50th Anniversary they were able to take Tom and Harriett’s dream vacation of going to Alaska. This trip was something they thought they would never be able to do because of Harriett’s health. Right after that trip she had to begin dialysis which became like a job for her. She met many people that she enjoyed talking with despite it truly feeling like a job when the time would drag on. Even though she had so many health struggles, she always kept a positive attitude.
Survivors include her husband Tom, daughter Shirley and Mike Baroun, Andy and Doreen Thelen, Grandkids: Amanda Baroun (David Yang), Adam and Amber Baroun, Stephanie Baroun (Devin Earl), Brittney Baroun, Beau and Karissa Baroun, Great Grandkids: Lexie, Kylie, Bradley, Aidyn, Jaxon, Baylee, Greyson, Aubree, Leland, Bucklee and one on the way, brother Robert Bohn Jr., sister Kathy and Joe Jones, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include: Gerri and Daniel Eichhorst, Tim and Patti Kostechka, and many other friends and family. She was preceded in death by her father Robert Bohn Sr., mother Shirley Bohn, step mom Lora Nan Bohn, sister-in-law Gail Bohn, father-in-law Raymond Kostechka, mother-in-law Beatrice (Bea) Kostechka, special friends: Barb Spaulding, Rick Koenig and Stephanie (FeFe) Cisneros.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Whitelaw. Entombment will take place on Monday, June 17 2024 at the Knollwood Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of service at 12 noon. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Kellnersville location is assisting the family with arrangements.
