WILMINGTON — Annette Kohl, 68, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Christian missionary, entrepreneur and God’s faithful servant, was called to her heavenly home by the Lord Sunday, May 7, 2017. She will be very deeply missed by all who knew her, but especially by her husband, children and grandchildren.
Annette’s journey on earth was a life well-lived. Her years were filled with an abiding love of the Lord, time spent with the family she so adored, and giving freely to all those she came in contact with. Though cancer would rob us of more time with Annette on earth, her graciousness, kindness, good heart and sweet spirit are a lasting legacy that will continue on among those who knew her best.
Annette is survived by her husband, Steven Kohl of Wilmington; son, Jeffrey Kohl of Wilmington; daughters, Alyssa Kohl of Wilmington, Bethany Kohl Hipp of Singapore, Leah Kohl of Atlanta, Ga., and Emily Kohl Brook of Dubai; and brother, P.J. Linnen of Naperville, Ill. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Annabelle Linnen; and brother, Thomas Linnen.
Born into the cold climate of the Midwest, Annette was more at home in the warmth of the sun and indeed, she brought rays of sunshine into the lives of all who would know her. The grace and beauty she would exude, and indeed her contagious smile, surfaced early in her days as a Downers Grove, Illinois youngster – culminating in Annette’s inclusion with the 1965 Fall Festival Queen Court as “Mercedes Benz.”
As a graduate of Illinois State University and proud “Red Bird,” it was in the “Land of Lincoln” where she would meet the love of her life and future husband, Steve. Appropriately, the two would meet engaging in a mutual passion they would share for all of their years together: swimming.
The two settled down and began to raise their family in Wisconsin. It was during this time that Annette helped instill an appreciation for physical fitness and activity within their growing family. This would lead to the coveted Manitowoc YMCA Family of the Year – 1981 award – a designation still cited by family members as a great source of pride. With an ever-light heart and appreciation for good humor, it was also during this time that she would indulge her children by making a winter time Dunkin Donuts appearance in swimwear in an effort to win sugary delights for the Kohl clan. She got the doughnuts.
A good-natured, dutiful and loving spouse, Annette would join Steve on adventures throughout their life together that would create lasting memories and smiles for themselves and those around them. One such adventure would lead the couple and their family to Wilmington in 1996, where they would open a successful chain of restaurants, Kohl’s Frozen Custard – bringing happiness to Carolina custard lovers for years to come. Another illustration of Annette’s adventurousness and love of the Lord would see the two take up missionary work to bring dentistry care to those in need in the nation of Belize.
When she wasn’t joining Steve on one of their many adventures, following the call to serve the Lord, or bringing smiles to the faces of family and friends, Annette could be found traveling the world to visit her kids and grandchildren. She loved holding and playing (and especially swimming) with her eight grandchildren (to whom she was simply known as “B-Mom”).
An avid enthusiast of healthy living, she stayed active by hiking, walking, swimming, cycling and by chasing around those Kohl and Hipp children she loved so dearly. Annette was also a strong proponent of maintaining good diet, and enjoyed sharing the virtues of eating well with those closest to her.
More than any single role or good deed, it was Annette’s unique ability to brighten the lives of so many as well as the cumulative contribution she made in that spirit for which she will be most missed. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Through her life and Godly example, Annette will always be known in the many hearts of those whose lives she touched throughout the world.
A memorial service to celebrate Annette’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 12, at Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
The family is thankful for the many prayers for Annette over the past few months and asks that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made in memory of Annette Kohl to SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, 123 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.