Age 86, Luray, Va.
Joyce Marlene Rocheleau Kohanek, 86, of Luray, Va., and recently of Richmond, Va., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 20, 2023.
“Jo” was born October 9, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN, and was the eldest daughter of the late Meldon Raymond Rocheleau and the late Bernice Delia Selmina Holter of Minneapolis, MN.
She graduated in 1954 from North High School in Minneapolis and later attended Cypress Junior College in Cypress, CA, as a Journalism major.
On October 27, 1956, she married Dennis George Kohanek of Minneapolis, who died in 2021. For the first five years of marriage they both worked to put Dennis through the University of Minnesota’s Aeronautical Engineering School, while raising a young family. For the next 20 years they raised their three children in Minnesota, California and Connecticut, and traveled the U.S. and beyond. Eventually, they settled in Virginia.
Jo gave her time to local organizations, including the Mrs. Jaycees in Minneapolis and as a Girl Scout Cookie Mother for her daughters, and volunteered for her son’s football and other sport events.
Besides being an excellent homemaker for her family, she also became a real estate agent.
Jo was accomplished in the needle arts of knitting, crochet, and needlepoint, and her expertise in cooking the best meals ever is renowned. She was always asked for her recipes, especially for Shrimp Dip. As her husband Dennis always said, “Why go to a restaurant when your mother makes the best meals anywhere?”
Jo was the best gift-giver ever, and her gift-wrapping skills were beautiful, elegant and legendary.
Surviving are her three children, Vicki Kohanek of Toms River, NJ; Lisa Kohanek Pecunia (Gus) of Richmond, VA; Stephen Kohanek of Saratoga Springs, NY. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brian Davis of Flemington, NJ; Dean Kohanek of South Glens Falls, NY; Ginger Kohanek of Wappinger Falls, NY; and Sebastian Pecunia of Greenwich, CT; and one great-grandchild, Braxton Davis of Flemington, NJ.
Jo is also survived by her two sisters, Pamela Rocheleau Bidler (Richard) of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Dianne Rocheleau Ellis Lidberg of Arden Hills, MN; nieces and nephews Darcy Ellis of Crystal Beach, FL, David Ellis (Julie) of North Oaks, MN, Jonathan Bidler (Joanna) of Maple Grove, MN, Justin Bidler (Angela) of Champlin, MN; nephew Joseph Bidler is previously deceased; and grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a future date and will be announced to the family.
I was her nurse back on 9/15. I want to send my condolences to Lisa and family. I’ve been praying for you all to get through this.
She and Dennis both were great attributes to Page County. I’ll always remember Jo’s delicious mint chocolate brownies and her warm smile. May she and Dennis rest peacefully together for eternity.