Roman “Romie” Kohout, age 89, of Prior Lake, MN, entered eternal life on June 8, 2023.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 11 am, with a time of gathering from 9-10:50 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Ryan Glaser will preside. Romie will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.
Roman Emil was born on November 16, 1933, on the family farm in Lydia, MN. He was the fourth of nine children of Emil and Helen (Dubbe) Kohout. Romie attended Fish Lake School through the Eighth Grade, before returning home to assist on the farm. At the age of 18, he started a 16-year career with Swift and Company, until they closed. Romie then accepted a position as a heavy equipment operator with Bohnsack and Hennen. He excelled at his craft and loved his work and colleagues. After 30 years with the company Romie retired.
A 68-year love story between Romie and Barbara Schmitz all began at a dance in Jordan, MN. They married on October 9, 1954, at the Church of St. Mary, in Shakopee. MN. Romie and Barb had three children, Jean, Wayne, and a daughter Joyce, who passed away at 7 days old. In 1962, they purchased 2 ½ acres and took the next five years to build their dream home. Every nail pounded and tear of sweat was all in love from Romie, for his family to have the perfect home. After 40 years, he and Barb were unable to care for their home and moved into a townhome, where they have resided since.
Romie was a man of simple pleasures. He loved anything outdoors. Romie loved hunting and fishing as a young man. This love continued throughout life. He especially enjoyed sharing these pleasures with his family, at the cabin up north. Romie’s love for the outdoors continued with mushroom hunting, gardening with Barb and simply enjoying God’s land. However, he was most content on his tractor which was his pride and joy. Romie and Barb also took to the outdoors and explored 45 of the states in their camper.
A humble man, Romie excelled as a master griller and cook. He made the best jams, sausage, and bacon. Romie loved to talk about heavy equipment. He liked playing the Accordion, a cocktail of Crown Royal and fixing things (sometimes with rubber bands), as Barb held the flashlight for him. Romie relished being a grandpa and being active in their lives.
Romie’s family experienced firsthand his kindness, compassion, generosity, and deep genuine love he had towards them. Romie was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. He will be forever loved by wife, Barb; children, Jean Manthey, Wayne (Karen) Kohout; grandchildren, Brian (Jess) Gamroth, Kevin (Kerri) Manthey, Dan Manthey, Jayson (Kelly) Novotny, Shannon (Terri) Novotny, Jon (Katie) Novotny, Tyler (James) Phillips; great-grandchildren, Jenna Manthey, Grayson Manthey, Nathan Manthey, Colton Novotny, Cooper Novotny, Ella Novotny, Joey Novotny, Andrew Novotny, Shane Berge, Bryce Berge, Mason Phillips, Samantha Novotny, Jackson Novotny; sister, Ellen Hennen; sister-in-law, Hazel Kohout; brother-in-law, Norbert Hennen; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Greeting Romie home in Heaven is his infant daughter, Joyce; grandson, Justin Gamroth; parents, Emil and Helena; siblings, Donald (Elaine) Kohout, Ruth Kohout, Irene (Delbert) Jasmer, Harry (Viola) Kohout, Arthur Kohout, Betty Hennen, Bessie Janousek; and brother-in-law, Richard Hennen.
