ElDean ‘Dean’ Vere Kohrs (1934-2019)

ElDean ‘Dean’ Vere Kohrs, 85, passed away Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Ellsworth. He was born May 4, 1934 in rural Hope, Kan. to Walter and Irene (Steinberg) Kohrs.
Dean is survived by his wife, Jane Kohrs of Geneseo; son, Aryl Kohrs (Beverly) of Dallas, Texas and their children, Alix, Andie, and Zane; daughter, Dorena Kohrs (Gerry Padnos) of Cary, N.C. and children, Drew, Ashlyn, and Barrett; son, Dane Kohrs of Manhattan; son, Jonathan Kohrs (April) of Overland Park, Kan. and their children, Irey, Asher, and Adlyn; and his sister, Sandra Ball of Wichita.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Roxanne Pfeifer.
As a young man, he graduated from Augustana College of Sioux Falls in music and went on to obtain a Masters Degree in psychology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, a Ph.D. in religious education from New York University, and completion of an externship in counseling psychology through the VA and Teacher’s College of Columbia University.
His early employment in psychology included the Stevens Institute of Technology, the Kilmer Job Corps Center and the Children’s Bureau of Passaic, New Jersey. When the community mental health movement was inaugurated, he moved to Wyoming where he worked in community mental health centers of Casper and Gillette. There he studied and wrote about the social consequences of Wyoming boomtowns.
Kansas became his home again in 1976 when his Dad gave up farming. Dean raised cattle until 1996, farmed until 2001, and worked continuously until 2009 in the independent psychology practice which he developed. He was licensed to practice psychology in Wyoming and Kansas and he served as presidents of both Boards of Psychologists.
During his early farm family life near Geneseo, Dean said that his parents set an example and instilled a lifestyle of learning, trying new experiences and overcoming adversity. During his life, he loved hard work, the outdoors, mechanical equipment of all kinds, horses, cattle, trumpet playing, music, mountain climbing, skiing, sailing, flying, socializing, and new adventures. He loved sharing these pursuits with his children and hopes that his love of life will live on in them and in his grandchildren.
A memorial service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth, or Good Samaritan Society Home Health Services, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com