Kenard Kent Koetter

Kenard Kent Koetter, age 63, of Ellinwood, KS passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in Hutchinson, KS.

Kenard was born July 11, 1955 in McCook, NE to parents Woodrow R. and Emma W. (Springer) Koetter.

Kenard grew up in McCook where he attended McCook High School.  Following high school, in September 1974, Kenard enlisted in the United States Army.  During the Vietnam War, he proudly served his country as a mechanic while stationed in Germany.  Kenard was honorably discharged in 1977.

On February 11, 1984, Kenard married the love of his life, Lisa Lynn (Critchfield) Koetter in Gothenburg, NE.

The couple was blessed with three sons: Ryan, Aaron and Kody.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Kenard’s professional career was in the grocery store business.  Kenard and Lisa, along with Kenard’s brother Smitty and wife Diane Koetter, purchased their first grocery store in Downs, KS in 1984 where Smitty and Diane still live today.   Continuing to work alongside one other, Kenard and Lisa owned grocery stores in Hastings, NE, where sons Ryan and Aaron were born, Julesburg, CO and eventually Ellinwood where Kody was born.  They have faithfully served the Ellinwood community through Ellinwood Family Foods since 1998.  Kenard cut meat daily for the meat department and along with Lisa, managed the day to day operations of the business.

Kenard enjoyed restoring antique cars.  He was a family man who enjoyed spending time at the lake, boating and relaxing, as well as family vacations.  His boys have many fond memories of special trips to Branson, MO.  Kenard was an avid Husker football fan and enjoyed watching the games with his family.  He also enjoyed playing cards and spending time with his Irish Setter dogs; Rosie, Jr. and Riley.

Kenard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Randy Koetter; and sister and brother in law, Joan (“Doc”) Schamel.

Those left to celebrate his life include his wife, Lisa Koetter of the home in Ellinwood; three sons, Ryan Koetter of Ellinwood, Aaron Koetter of McCook and Kody Koetter of Ellinwood; brothers, Martin “Smitty” (Diane) Koetter of Downs and Raymond (Sandi) Koetter of San Diego, CA; sister Jan (Norm) O’Grady of McCook; nephew Robert (Diane) Harrison of McCook; father and mother in law, Mike (Jean) Critchfield of Cozad, NE; sister in laws, Kelly (John) Peden of Cozad and Kristi (Tim) Daum of McCook; as well as other numerous nephews, nieces and extended family members.