Hetzel Marie Kohl, 93, OF Murray, Kentucky, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Countryside Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Bardwell, Kentucky.
Born and raised on the bluff in Columbus, Kentucky, Hetzel developed a deep connection to the outdoors from an early age. A true tomboy at heart, she taught herself to hunt and fish, embracing every adventure that came her way with fearlessness and determination. Independent to her core, Hetzel lived life on her own terms and was never one to be told what to do unless she had already decided it was a good idea herself.
Above all else, Hetzel’s greatest pride was her family. She worked tirelessly, often holding two jobs at a time, to provide for and support her beloved sons. Her love and admiration for them knew no bounds, and they remained the center of her world throughout her life. That same devotion extended to her grandchildren, who brought her immeasurable joy and were among her proudest accomplishments.
A lifelong learner, Hetzel earned her master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton, and dedicated more than twenty years to shaping young minds as an educator. She spent much of her teaching career at Ballard Elementary School, where she touched countless lives with her knowledge, patience, and caring nature.
Hetzel was a woman of many talents. A gifted artist and painter, she found beauty in the world around her and brought it to life through her work. She also loved to sew and quilt. Her creations became treasured keepsakes for family and friends. In the kitchen, she expressed her love through cooking, gathering those she loved around the table whenever she could.
Though life took her to many places over the years, Kentucky never left her heart. No matter where she traveled or lived, she always found her way back home. She carried with her a deep appreciation for simple living, never wasting anything, and making the most of what she had. Frugal, resourceful, hardworking, and resilient, Hetzel embodied the values she learned growing up along the Mississippi River.
Those who knew Hetzel will remember her adventurous spirit, her quick wit, her stubborn independence, and the unwavering love she had for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught, the memories she created, the artwork she left behind, and the countless lives she touched along the way.
Hetzel is survived by two sons, Kenneth G. Kohlenberger of Hardin, Kentucky, and Edward M. (Kim) Kohlenberger of Montgomery, Texas; four grandchildren, Kaci (Seth) Adams, Jennifer Kohlenberger, Haley (Zach) Howland, and Matthew (Cheyanne) Kohlenberger; and ten great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her son, Ronald Kohlenberger; two sisters, Sue Cope and Helen Weaver; one brother, George Crow; and her parents, Oliver and George Crow.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Bardwell is in charge of arrangements.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
