Harvey James Kohn, 67, of Menomonee Falls, WI, was called to his heavenly home on January 9, 2024.
Let’s start with a fun fact because Harvey would have wanted to pull in his reader. Growing up, Harvey was part of a four-Harvey ushering crew. Although the stats on this sort of thing are tough to track, there has never been more Harveys on an ushering crew since.
Harvey was born on April 11, 1956, in Milwaukee to Harvey and Eleanor Kohn. Harvey grew up with five sisters. Harvey loved his sisters, he joked they made it easy for him to be their Mom’s favorite.
Harvey married Christine when he was 19 years old. In the following years he would graduate from UW Milwaukee, go on to become a Lutheran School teacher (including at his own grade school), have four children, and move from Milwaukee to Racine and back again.
A few years after his first marriage ended he married Debbie, who had been a good friend for many years. Sadly, she passed five years later.
On July 16th, 2010, Harvey married Sondra. Together they enjoyed attending Brewers spring training and cheering them on throughout the season. They couldn’t get enough of the Britins, a Beatles cover band. Harvey certainly showed off his dance moves at those concerts.
Harvey loved his kids and grandkids (who wouldn’t). As a father and Pappy (as his grandkids affectionately called him), Harvey shared the secret of entertaining children: games with complicated rules that result in pun-based prizes. Harvey also knew a thing about teaching his children about punctuality: if you show up late, the taco dip might be gone.
Harvey loved music including Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Elvis, and the Beach Boys. When he would hear a song he liked, he couldn’t help but dance. He graciously passed this love onto his children by sharing the delights of dancing on the ceiling and doing his Wisconsin fatherly duties of teaching them how to polka. His favorite dance move was to unapologetically move to whatever rhythm he felt like, usually with some knee action. Many of his children and even some grandchildren have adopted this move.
Harvey was a devout Christian and sought to learn more about the Bible throughout his life. He instilled in his students and children alike to love your neighbor as yourself and to forgive as Christ forgives us. He was not afraid to ruffle feathers to spark conversation and engagement with any takers. There were also times of levity though, like when he asked what kinds of shoes Jesus wore (Answer: Cross trainers).
One of Harvey’s colleagues once succinctly described Harvey as having two speeds: slow and stop which made fishing, playing cards, and watching baseball a few of his favorite activities.
There were few things that Harvey liked more than a tasty meal. You might find it cheesy, but Harvey loved lasagna. His discovery of Popeyes red beans and rice meant everyone was getting red beans and rice for a solid month. He also never saw a kringle he didn’t like. His true love was coke, though no one could drink a random glass of milk like him.
Harvey was predeceased by his parents Harvey and Eleanor Kohn, and his second wife Debra.
Harvey is survived by his loving wife, Sondra Kohn; his children, Michael (Trisha) Kohn, Stephen (Cassie) Kohn, Elizabeth Kohn, Rachel (Andy) Rebholz, Matthew Boney, and Elizabeth Boney; his grandchildren, Zoey, Sam, Liv, Teddy, Claire, and Brooke; sisters, Louise (John) Zink, Linda (Ron) Kroll, Laura Bown, Leslie (Steve) Granberg, and Lisa (Scott) Perdue; and brothers-in laws Bradley Wood (Bill Lavender) and Greg (Cindy) Wood, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and friends who undoubtedly miss him dearly.
Harvey Kohn will always be remembered for his sense of humor. They say corpses aren’t very funny—they’re dead serious, that’s why Harvey was cremated.
Visitation will be held at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church (N59 W22476 Silver Spring Dr, Sussex, WI 53089) on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon. Service and lunch will follow the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you treat yourself to Popeye’s, an organization Harvey felt strongly about. In addition, donations to National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeastern Wisconsin or Angel’s Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, WI are appreciated.
