Mary Jo Kohler

Mary Jo Kohler, 83, of Glenwood, formerly of Montevideo, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at CCM Health. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Montevideo. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5 to 7:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Mary Jo was born in Redwood Falls at her home to Joseph and Ernestine (Daun) Coubal on June 27, 1942. She was baptized and confirmed Catholic. She attended school in Redwood Falls until she moved to Hazel Run and went to country school for grades 5-7 and graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1960.

She married Glen Haugerud October 15, 1960, and was a faithful wife taking care of him in sickness and health until his death in 1994. To this union were two daughters Glenda Abbas and Cindy Godfrey of whom she was very proud.

Mary Jo was a religion teacher for 10 years, was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, did book work for Glen’s construction business until he was disabled. She worked at Innovex from 1984 to 2000 and Avicenna from 2000 until retirement in 2014.

In retirement Mary Jo met her now husband Ron Kohler and they wed August 5, 2023, in Glenwood, MN. Ron brought a companionship that was missed. She enjoyed their time fishing, time up north at their cabin feeding the deer and time in Arizona over the winters.

Mary Jo loved celebrations of all types and was always the life of the party. She scheduled many work get togethers, birthday bashes (where her age was going in reverse) and many family gatherings. Each holiday it was important for the family to sit around one big table and fellowship together. She was always looking for that next great recipe and incorporated recipes from around the world to teach us the importance of other cultures. Her door was always open; she held many sleepovers for her grandchildren and extended family and welcomed those who were in need of a spare room. She always found ways to make others know they are loved.

Mary Jo spent many years decorating wedding cakes, bride & bridesmaid dresses, along with some fiesta attire.

She navigated many trips with Glen and girls pulling a camper. Some might have brought them on unplanned adventures or when going left she would say right as in “yes” and a turn around would be necessary. But she was always up for an adventure unless it involved crossing a long bridge or a narrow terrain in the hills.

She found joy in spending time with family and took many trips with the youngest grands to visit the Stenson family in Duluth. The hikes, shopping, ship watching and Famous Daves were always a must!

Mary Jo made it to as many sporting events as she could for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was typically reserved until she was cheering and then her fierce voice came out sometimes causing her to be shushed.

She is described by many as a woman with class even though she was too humble to agree. She was however flattered when people tried to guess her real age.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Haugerud; parents: Joseph, Ernestine and Dorothy Coubal; siblings: Debbie Hedin, Joey Coubal, Louie Coubal, Mike Coubal, Gerry Leenerts; brothers-in-law; Kenneth Leenerts, Chet Haugerud; sisters-in-law; Donna Coubal, Val Schei Wallace, Janet Cushman and Glennis Dunn; and great great grandson Conlyn Verbrugge.

She is survived by her husband Ron Kohler; children: Glenda Abbas and Cindy (Tim) Godfrey; grandchildren: Ryan Godfrey, Daniel (Asha) Godfrey, Travis (Katie) Godfrey, Gwyn (Andrew) Stenson, Marysa Abbas, Timi Jo (Phillip) Dresbach; many great grandchildren; siblings: Barb (Harold) Larson and Bonnie(Mike) McCarthy; and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.