Gordon Kohout

Gordon J. Kohout, age 72 of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 family at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Private family interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.

Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose.

Gordon John Kohout was born September 14, 1940 in Renville, Minnesota to Joseph and Anna (Houdek) Kohout. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1961 to 1965. Gordon married Marion Wohnoutka on August 18, 1962 in Bechyn, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with ten wonderful children. Gordon and Marion later divorced. He was a civil engineer for the city of St. Cloud and also farmed. Gordon spent the last 16 years with his significant other, Sharon Herzog. During that time he enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, and spending the last seven winters in Arizona. Gordon also had a passion for John Deere tractors. He was a member of American Legion Post #101 in Melrose. Gordon was also a member of the Eagles and Moose Club in Arizona.

Survivors include his significant other, Sharon Herzog of Melrose; children, Deborah Kohout of Colorado Springs, CO, Darryl (Lisa Rutten) Kohout of Grey Eagle, Dean (Jennifer) Kohout of Burtrum, Duane Kohout of Eau Claire, WI, Dawn (Kris) Paul of Coon Rapids, Dwight (Molly) Kohout of Albany, Doris (John) Hentges of Otsego, Deanna Braun of Sartell, Denise (Brian) Massmann of Sauk Rapids, and Darin Kohout of Albany; siblings, Donald (Marlene) Kohout of Olivia, Bernard (Lorraine) Kohout of Danube, Joe (Jean) Kohout of Chokio, Donna (Clayton) Breezee of Atwater, Diane (Mark) Hempel of Denver, CO, and Dennis Kohout of Atwater; step-children, Shawn (Karin) Herzog of Phoenix, AZ, Shane (Marilyn) Herzog of Phoenix, AZ, and Brian Herzog of Melrose; 11 granchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and 1 step-great-grandchild.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents.

His family would like to thank the staff at Melrose Pine Villa Care Center, St. Michael's Hospice in Sauk Centre, Douglas County Hospital, and St. Cloud Hospital for their compassionate care.