Daricene Kohnen

Daricene J. Kohnen, 94, of Baxter, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, at Northern Lakes Senior Living Memory Care.

She was born on June 23, 1931, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Steven Kelso and Annie (Nebesnuik) Trojan. The third of nine children, Daricene grew up with four sisters—Mary, Sophie, Stella, and Cecilia—and four brothers—Edward, August, Bill, and Stephen.

Daricene met and married James M. Kohnen in 1962 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They moved to the United States in 1966, where they raised their two children, Francine and James Jr.

As an adult, Daricene pursued her education, earning an associate’s degree, and later managed a gift shop for many years. She was a proud member of the Beta Sigma Phi service sorority, volunteered with hospice organizations, and was deeply committed to her Catholic faith. Active in her parish, she found great meaning in bringing communion to the homebound.

Daricene will be remembered for her creativity, warmth, and energy. She had a lifelong love of cooking, hosting gatherings, and decorating, and she enjoyed cross-country skiing and traveling. Her ability to create beauty and joy in her surroundings touched many lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Kohnen, who passed away earlier this year in February; her parents; and her siblings.

She is survived by her children, Francine (Kohnen) Trtanj and her husband Glenn, and James P. Kohnen, Jr.; as well as her granddaughters Emily (Trtanj) Macdonald, Hannah Trtanj, and Sophia Trtanj.

A private memorial gathering will be held for immediate family.

Daricene’s legacy is one of devotion—to her faith, her family, and her community. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.