Donald Hugh Kooken
Donald Hugh Kooken, 56, of DeSoto, Kansas, passed away January 6, 2012.
Don was a hardworking man with a passion for motorcycles, boating, animals, and home projects. He loved to be outside working in the garage or improving the yard. Don was proud of his home in DeSoto that he built and designed himself, and it was his favorite place to be along with his family and beloved dogs, Rosie, Winnie and Roxie. Don always loved a good laugh, and had a distinctive chuckle and was always known to crack a joke or play a prank. Don loved to talk, and he never met anyone he didn’t want to share his thoughts or ideas with. He left all he encountered with a smile on their face and a laugh in their heart and his presence will be forever missed. Don is finally resting in peace.
He is preceded in death by his loving mother, Rosemary Lagomarcino.
Donald leaves behind his best friend and wife Joan of 34 years, married since July 16, 1977; daughter, Kristina and son-in-law Jeremy Carter and grandson Sean Patrick Carter; son, Thomas Kooken and his fiancé Nicole Hall; son, Matthew Kooken, and loving sister Karen Santa Cruz and family; beloved aunt and uncle, Louise and Robert Carter and family; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Don will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He will forever be in our hearts.
Visitation and Services
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2012, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2012, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas.
Memorial Contributions
The family suggest memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or to Heartland SPCA, 9827 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66203.
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To the Kooken family, With my deepest sympathy. Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Worked with Don for over 24 plus years. John Curry
I am very sorry to hear about Don. You are in our thoughts and prayers. He will be missed. Love, Lynne
Please accept my sincerest condolences. I am praying for strength and comfort for your family at this time. Worked with Don for the past year. I will greatly miss him.
Joni, Tom, Kristie, and Matt you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I was shocked to hear of Don’s passing. I worked with him during the 6 years I was at Del Monte and I truly enjoyed working with him. He was a wonderful person with a huge heart. Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolendeces. I will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers!
Kerry
I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I’ve worked with Don for many years and will truly miss him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am very sorry for your loss. Billy Brumley
My deepest sympathys for your loss. Don was a co-worker of mine but more importantly I considered him a friend. May, Don (Down Home) Kooken, rest in peace and may God Bless you, his family.
Donny & I graduated high school together. The only cousin I have that was in my high school graduating class. I have so many GREAT memories with Donny. Kelly & I were so shocked to learn of his passing. I pray his family will stay strong in the faith of God.
He will be missed, in the short time I knew Don was not enough but it was enough to know I made a true friend. My deepest sympathy & my prayers are with you.
I worked with Don during his entire career at the plant. He and I talked a lot about car technology. during the years. I will miss those conversations.
Bless you and your family
I am sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I had many enjoyable conversations with him about ererything under the sun. He will be missed by everyone he knew.
I am sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I had many conversations with him about everything from soup to nuts. He will be missed very much.
I worked with Don for many years, he will be greatly missed, my thoughts and prayers to you all in this difficult time. Tim Meyer
Joanie and family – I don’t even know where to start – this is surreal. My heart aches for all of you. Thinking of you with prayers, love and concern. Deb
My deepest sympathies goes out to Dons family and everyone that had the honor of being apart of his life. I feel i know everyone of his children and wife joannie. He spoke so often of everyone… Don will be greatly missed. There was never a boring conversation with Don, i worked with Don throughout the years, he helped train me and helped me many times.
Don and i shared an OCD, we were both very picky of the type of writing pens we used. So everytime he scored a new pen he thought i would like he would call and tell me about it. He will be forever missed! God Bless
Words don’t seem to truly express the sorrow we feel for your loss. Don was always smiling and fun to work with. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
I am very sorry to hear about Don. I worked with Don for many years. He always had good advice for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!
Don will be missed a lot. We worked in different areas so all of our conversations were not work related and very enjoyable. I miss him and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Karen & Family, Joannie, Matt, Kristy & Tom, I was so shocked to hear about Don’s passing. My heart goes out to all of you. Believe that God will give you the strength to get through this very difficult time.
Love, Aunt Eileen
We liked Don and always enjoyed his “dry” sense of humor. He loved his dog and his family. We will miss him and pray for him and his family. Very Tragic, very sad.
No words can explain the grief of losing a loved one this way.
We are at a loss for words at this stage. Connells
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Kooken family. I worked with Don for about four years and he was fun to be around and full of stories. May he rest in peace
Dear Dad,
Your death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but our love leaves a memory that no one can steal. I hope you have finally found some peace.
You will be greatly missed.
All my love,
Kristie
Dear Sister Joan & Family – Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with you at this time. Godspeed from your family in Virginia….We Love You!
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
Can it be that in a world so full and busy -the loss of one makes a void so deep & wide!?
I shall not say Goodbye, my friend, but I’ll miss You, until we meet again..
Tim
Don, we will truly miss you. You stayed with us at our home in Richmond when Alastair was helping you get the job at VCU.
We had some fun meals and laughs, really hoped you would get the job so we could see you more often.
We love you and will meet you again, God willing. Joyce & Alastair
I’m so sorry to hear about Don’s passing, He was a wonderful guy and he will be missed. I enjoyed visiting with him when we came to Kansas. Hugs to all
Dearest Joanie, Matt, Kristie, Tom & Karen and her family,
I have wonderful memories of Don and Karen coming to our houses when we lived in PV, Springfield and Fairway. Don was always telling stories and we all loved to listen to him. He did have a dry sense of humor but we enjoyed that also. I just talked to him this summer at Jenny’s wedding and again was glad to visit with him. I was so shocked when my mom called to tell me that he had died. He was far too young and will be greatly missed by all of our families. My deepest sympathy to all of you…my heart goes out to each of you!
God bless each of you! With love, Kathy (cousin)
Don, you will be missed, you had a good sense of humor and were a very hard worker. We had lots of laughs when you stayed with us. and we look forward to seeing you again, God willing. Alastair and Joyce Connell
My deepest sympathies goes out to Joanie, the Kooken family, and Donnie’s large extended family. Donnie was a big, good influence on me when I needed it most when I was young and I never let him forget that. I will miss him very much and grieve his loss.
Mike Amerine on January 11th, 2012 2;31 PM. I am very sorry about the passing of Don. I liked Don from our first meeting.I am sure everyone else had the same feelings. I will miss him very much, and remember how much I enjoyed his company.
Dear Joanie,
I am so saddened over the loss of Donny. You were so kind to make a little girl feel so special when you chose me to be your flower girl. Just like God looked over you then on your wedding day, I know He is looking over you now – may He continue to be your strength during this time when you need him most. You, your children, Karen, and all of your family will remain in my heart and prayers.
God Bless, Angie
Joannie, Matt, Kristie, Tom & Karen and family,
I can’t stop thinking about Don. He will always have a special place in my heart. I remember him living with us when we were growing up. He teased me intensely like I was his little sister but also protected me from the neighborhood boys that wanted to play couples hide and seek like a big brother! As we got older a real friendship grew. He was the best storyteller and could always make me laugh. I always knew when I heard his endearing laugh that he was around and it made me want to go talk to him. He was the champion prankster and got so much joy out of those stunts. But when it came time to talk about real stuff, Don wore his heart on his sleeve which made me love him even more. He had a heart of gold.
Don, you left us way too early. We will miss you in so many ways. I know now that God has placed an angel to watch over us all. Find your peace….Love, Theresa
I AM FREE
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, to laugh,
to love, to work or play.
Tasks undone must stay that way
I’ve found that peace at the close of the day.
If parting has left a void, then fill it
with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times,
a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wants me now, He set me free.
Although I had only a few opportunities to spend time with Don, I had a feeling we would have become good friends if we’d lived closer. He had a rare ability to make a newcomer feel comfortable and welcome in his home. He also preferred to discuss Liz’s and my interests and adventures rather than talk about his own, of which, as I later learned, he had many himself. He was a neat guy with a warm smile and a great sense of humor. I just wish I could have got to know him better. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Joan, Kristie, Matt and Tom.
–Brian & Liz, Surprise, AZ.
I remember as a child, at my youngest, I’d feel very shy around you. I think it was mostly your deep(ish) southern voice that made me that way. But I always had a special love for my aunt Joni, and seeing your love for her made my shyness go away. When you’d come to town I’d sit by my father and hear the two of you share that same “dry” sense of humor and laugh. I remember your laugh most of all. I’ve never seen my dad like that with anyone; you were his best friend. I remember about a week before, he had asked if you were coming up in two weeks with aunt Joni to visit, he said he had hoped so. Though I didn’t get much of a chance as an adult, as I am just now becoming one, to share conversation with you and make memories, I am deeply saddened. I see my mother’s deep eyes fill with tears, and my father mutter “Kooken, that bonehead”, and knowing my aunt and cousins are so heartbroken, my heart sinks.
Aunt Joni, Kristie, Tommy, and Matt:
I love you all very much and am so sorry that this pain has been put upon you.
I will miss you Buddy! My thoughts and Prayers for you and all that love you!
Liked to smile, appreciated friends, took on responsibilities with his best effort. I never saw Don blame anyone or speak poorly of others. Whatever will be, will be.
I’m very sorry for suffering that Don, his family, and his friends have endured. Peace to you all. You’re in my prayers.
Dearest Kooken Family, Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Nothing can prepare you for somthing like this, trust in your faith and hold each other close to your hearts. I wish we would have had the opportunity to meet Don, my Mother and Father, Robert and Pat Carter only had wonderful things to say about their visits to Kansas and how much fun they had with your family, you made sure they felt welcome and important. Remember your extended family in Oregon, we are here for whatever your family needs. All our love, Dick and Brenda Jones
Deepest sympathies from the Lavey’s in Omaha. Don you were a good, caring father, husband, hard, dedicated worker and best friend to Joan–you will be missed by us all. May you find peace in your final resting place with the Lord-our prayers our with Joan and the family.
God Bles! Mike, Deb, Erin & Kelly
I will greatly miss the talks and experiences we shared with each other about life and cars. My deepest prayers go out to the family.
Ray and I express our sincerest sympathies to the Kooken family. Don was a friend to us and to many.
“From the darkeness that follows death,
comes a light to shine on the path of understanding”.
Our prayers are for all of you.
Ray & Julie
Ray & I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Kooken families. Don was a friend to us and many.
“From the darkness that follows death,
comes a light to shine of on the path of understanding”.
You will all be in our prayers.
Ray & Julie
To the Kooken Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing and want you to know that you’re all in my thoughts prayers. It had been so many years since I had seen Kooken and was so surprised to see his obituary in the newspaper. I still can’t believe it. Joannie, I only met you a couple of times, but was glad to see that you and Donnie had shared so many years together. That’s a great accomplishment. The obituary was beautiful and portrayed all the traits I remember so well from high school days. It was so nice to hear what a full and meaningful life he had built for himself and his family. May fond memories and God’s love be with you through this sad time. God bless you all.
Candy
Joanie,
I just found out. I am so sorry about Don. I have wonderful memories of you and Don, and the children. Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Angie
To Joan, Tommy, Kristina, and Matthew,
I so sorry to hear of the news of Don, I just found out of the news today. Please accept our sincerest condolences. May you find peace and be blessed with the many loving memories of him.
With love and prayer, Tom, Tami, and Trinity