Elaine Ethel Kolwe

Elaine Kolwe:  February 20, 1931 - January 9, 2019

Elaine Bohning Kolwe, 87, died on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital after a brief illness, just six weeks shy of her 88th birthday.  Born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana on February 20, 1931, she was the daughter of Chester F. and Winnie D. Bohning. Except for the years she attended school at St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi, and Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Elaine lived in Ponchatoula.  She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana College with a B.S. in Business.

Elaine married the love of her life,the late Oswald B. Kolwe, on December 17, 1951.  She was the devoted mother of Mark (Bess) Kolwe , Chet (Gloria) Kolwe, John (Miriam) Kolwe and Kay Coon (Frank Janotta).  In addition to her children, Elaine is survived by her grandchildren, Christy (Lawrence) House, Casey Kolwe, Aimee Kolwe (Ryan)Short, Kristen Kolwe, Kevin Kolwe, Trey Coon and Benjamin (Kimberly) Coon; her great grandchildren Gavin House, Amelia House, Della House, Cora House, Levi Short and Abigail Coon; her siblings, Mary Morgan, Margaret Price and John Bohning  (Jenny); and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband, her brother, William Bohning, and her niece, Mary Liz Beaton, predeceased her.

Elaine had numerous hobbies and interests throughout her life, from showing quarter horses in her younger years, to playing bridge and reading in her later years.  Her greatest enjoyment, however, came from spending time with her family and friends.  She particularly took pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and those of her siblings and many nieces and nephews.  

Friends and family are invited to visit with Elaine’s family at Harry McKneely& Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula, LA 70454 on Friday, January 11 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the Memorial Service at the funeral home at 11:00 AM.  Burial will follow in Wetmore Cemetery. The funeral will be officiated by John Locascio, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church.  Trey Coon, Benjamin Coon, Kevin Kolwe, Ryan Short, Art Merkle and Carter Weeks will serve as pallbearers.  

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for the attentive and loving care given to Elaine.  

Donations may be made to the Ponchatoula First United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.

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