Elizabeth J. Mills Kohmanski, age 87 and a lifelong resident of Mill Village, died Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Edinboro Manor. Born in LeBoeuf Township on September 14, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Stephanie Mandle Mills.
Liz was a school teacher who first began teaching in a one-room school house in Crawford County, and after over 40 years, she retired from Cambridge Springs Elementary School. She and her husband, Ed, operated her family’s farm in LeBoeuf Township for many years. She loved spending many hours in her kitchen– “Mrs. K’s Kitchen” as it was known. Cookies and candy were her specialties, and family and friends alike were often the recipients of her labor.
Liz was a founding member and Queen Mother of the Fun Loving Red Hatters, Chapter 7771, of Mill Village.
She was preceded in death by five sisters, Luba Lewis, Mary Trask, Josephine Mills, Rose Popovich, and Julia Kos; and three brothers, George, Frank, and Michael Mills.
Those that remain to mourn her loss include her loving husband, Edward Kohmanski, whom she married November 30, 1968; a sister, Ella Mae Finney of Cambridge Springs; a brother, Lawrence (Lindy) Mills and his wife, Dottie, of Pittsburgh; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home of Waterford, 105 Walnut Street, on Wednesday from 3 – 5 pm and may stay for the funeral service which will follow at 5:00 pm. Rev. Shane Thompson of AseraCare Hospice will officiate.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mill Village Volunteer Fire Department.
One of the best teachers that I ever had. I got my penpal, Anne Osstensen from Sweden from Mrs. K’s student teacher, Miss Benzel, as we were studying different countries. I wrote to Anne for almost 35 years. I always enjoyed learning about all the countries and actually “living” and learning their customs, foods and building an igloo and husky dogs out of paper mache. Mrs. K was wonderfull.
After studying Japan, we had a Japanese meal including hot tea (without sugar!). She took us to her farm for our fourth grade field trip. Every 4th grader planted a little tree. It was a memorable day. She was a great teacher. Haven’t seen her since I left elementary school in 1966. I regret that.
She was my fourth grade teacher, as well.
I remember going to her farm where we each planted a tree and I think we also did some square dancing.
I remember her as being a very nice teacher. She seemed to really enjoy teaching.
My grade school teacher, I will always remember her kindness.