Reicka-Louise Wehrman

Reicka-Louise Wehrman, 84, left her family and friends from her home in Derby, Kansas to be with Jesus on January 19, 2025.

She was born to Raymond Rueben Koehler and Kathryn Freidaricka Koehler (Elfring) on May 8, 1940 in Hastings, Nebraska. She grew up on the family farm south of Harvard, Nebraska with her younger brother Stanley. After graduating from Harvard High School in 1958, she attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She taught elementary school for four years in Omaha, Nebraska at Westside. It was in Omaha that she met John Martin Wehrman at the First Methodist Church.

On July 10, 1966 at 8:00 pm on a 108 degree evening, she and John were married at Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in Harvard, Nebraska.

Reicka-Louise and John settled in Lincoln, Nebraska where she taught at Brownell Elementary School for four years.

On July 1, 1970 Reicka-Louise and John moved to Derby, Kansas where Reicka-Louise stayed home caring for her growing family. She also taught piano lessons and provided day care and after school care for children of friends and neighbors.

Reicka-Louise was actively involved in the Kansas Music Teachers Association, and many church groups and activities including the Presbyterian Church Esther Circle, the Brethren Church Women’s Missionary Society, and Moms In Touch. She taught Sunday School, directed Kids For Jesus children's choir, directed Vacation Bible School, and organized a youth group. Recently Reicka-Louise and John attended the Derby Friends Church.

Always generous with her home, time, and resources, she cared for her elderly aunt Martha and her mother Kathryn in her home when they were no longer able to live by themselves. Anyone in need of a meal, a place to stay, or loving care were welcome in her home at any time. She was often baking or cooking for those who were experiencing hardships in their life. After her aneurysm on January 22, 2000, followed days later by a stroke that left her with left side paralysis and dependent on 24/7 care, she showed her love and compassion to others with her ministry of birthday cards and other greeting cards. She continued her passion of piano teaching by teaching her grandchildren. Faith and family were of greatest importance to her.

Reicka-Louise is survived by her husband of 58 years, John; son Geoffrey (Mary Beth) and their children Andrew (Meredith), Curtis (Mary Grace) and their son Henry; Joshua, Preston, Rachel; son Tobias (Marcia) and their children Jacob, Adam, Carrie, Grant; daughter Dixie (TJ) Scribner and their children Addi, Jada, Titus, Onyx; son Casey (Stephanie) and their children John, Jason, Justus, Carsten, Chaitan; son Shelby (Melanie) and their children Jayleigh, Caleb, Alayna, Kathryn, Haven, Gracie; daughter Christy (Jonathan) Hula and their children Piper, Johnny, Ellie, Brylee; son Tracy (Susan) and their children Ivy, Ivan, Wyatt; brother Stanley Koehler; sister-in-law Judy Grimes Tonroy; 5 nephews, and 1 niece.

A visitation for Reicka-Louise with family present will be held at Smith Mortuary in Derby, Kansas on Friday, January 24th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at Derby Friends Church in Derby, Kansas on Saturday, January 25th at 10:00 am with a lunch following. A burial service will be held at 2:30 pm at the Latham Cemetery in Latham, Kansas.

Memorial gifts may be given to Kansas and Nebraska Fellowship of Christian Athletes or to Joni And Friends at joniandfriends.org

https://my.fca.org/?form=KansasFCA&keyword=Kansas%20FCA

https://my.fca.org/?form=nebraskascholarshipfund&keyword=Nebraska%20Scholarship%20Fund