Carlyn “John” Kolhei

June 7, 1940-Jan. 28, 2025

COTTONWOOD — Services for Carlyn “John” Kolhei, 84, of Cottonwood will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, and military honors will take place outside the church following the service. A private family interment will take place at Christ Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

John died unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at his home.

Carlyn John Kolhei was born on June 7, 1940, in Granite Falls, to Irene (Halverson) and Odin Kolhei. John lived on the Kolhei farmstead for 72 of his 84 years. The youngest of three siblings, John graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1958. He served in the Army Reserves from 1960 until 1965 as an army cook. On Sept. 7, 1961, John was united in marriage to Lois Sandberg at the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls. The couple lived briefly in Ivanhoe after their marriage, where John worked at the grain elevator. They later moved to Ghent, where he worked at the grain elevator and the couple owned a meat market. After living in Clarkfield and working at the Clarkfield grocery store, as well as working in construction and drainage ditches, John and Lois finally moved back to the Kolhei farm. At that point, John began his 30 year career as a Ditch Inspector for Yellow Medicine County. This job fit his personality well, as he enjoyed driving around and checking on things.

John was a lifelong lover of fast cars. He was a member of the Sparks Car Club in high school, helping friends work on their race cars. He participated in truck pulling and later drag raced into his 70s. John also enjoyed watching stock car racing and truck racing. He loved to joke and tell stories (not all of them appropriate). John was proud of his Norwegian Heritage. He was a 50 year member and past commander of the Cottonwood American Legion. John was active in both St. Lucas Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, usher, caretaker, and on the Christ Lutheran Cemetery Board.

He is survived by his wife Lois; children Shari (Steve) Bruns, Rodney (Sandy) Kolhei, Jeff (Shannon) Kolhei, and Tim (Chrys) Kolhei; grandchildren Tyler (Tianna) Schommer, Shelby Schommer, Lance (Stephanie) Kolhei, Candice (Bryce Neva) Ahmann, Corinne and Jaden Kolhei, and Jacqualyn (Scott) Hickey; great-grandchildren Truley and Titus Schommer, Daphne and Graham Kolhei, Reeve and Kellen Ahmann, Maxton and Rose Neva, and Beau Hickey; sisters Loreen Gibson and Marilyn (Kerm) DeBoom; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson-in-law Craig Ahmann, and brother-in-law Earl Gibson.

Arrangements with

Sunset Funeral &

Cremation Association

Echo, Minnesota