Beth Bohnet

Dr. Beth Ann Bohnet, 84, of Lawrence, KS, passed away on May 4, 2024. She was born on January 19, 1940, in Minneapolis, MN to Herbert Leslie Bohnet and Ruth Marie (Heig) Bohnet.

Beth grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. During her childhood, Beth had many adventures and got into lots of mischief with her cousins on their grandparents' farm in Clark, South Dakota. After high school Beth attended North Dakota State University. In 1959 she married John Kocourek. They had three daughters, Tracy, Jill, and Amy. The family moved around the Midwest for John's job, eventually settling in Lawrence, KS in 1969.

Beth received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas in 1970 and taught at Schwegler Elementary School. She also shared her love for crochet and knitting by teaching classes at the Crewel Cupboard. In 1972, she married Steve Glass, they later divorced. Her career path led her to work as an Interior Designer for Jane Bateman Interiors while furthering her education at the University of Kansas. Beth's additional degrees included Bachelor of General Studies, Master of Science in Counseling, and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology.

While working on her doctorate, Beth's love of the East Coast led her to become a Psychology Intern at the Counseling Center at the University of Maine in Orono. She later served as a Clinical Supervisor and Psychologist at various institutions, including the Augusta Mental Health Institute. This eventually led to her fulfilling her dream of opening a private practice as a Clinical Psychologist in Bangor, Maine, where she touched many lives before retiring in 2013. After 35 years in Maine, Beth returned to Lawrence in 2021 to be near family.

Outside of her professional life, Beth found joy in decorating, knitting, crocheting, stained glass work, gardening, and entertaining. Other favorites included summers on Lake Amelia at her sister's lake house, family trips to Ocean Isle Beach, NC, times at her camp (cabin) in Maine, hiking at Acadia National Park, and cross-country skiing.

Beth shared many crazy adventures with the ‘Grove Street Gang,’ her neighbors on Grove Street in Bangor. She was a fabulous Maine tour guide for visiting friends and family. Her tour favorites included Acadia National Park (Cool As A Moose for t-shirts, Ben and Bill's for ice cream, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, popovers on the lawn at Jordan Pond House, hiking the Bubbles, and watching the sunset from the top of Cadillac Mountain), Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, Pat's Pizza in Orono, Mount Battie, Camden, and Freeport. When you visited it would not be surprising to find an empty refrigerator and a freezer full of Ben and Jerry's Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch, and you may even get popcorn for dinner.

Beth worshiped at the First United Methodist Church of Lawrence and Saint John's Episcopal Church of Bangor. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and served as President of the Douglas County Historical Society and Museum, Lawrence Arts Commission, Lawrence Arts Guild, Bangor Historical Society, and Maine Psychological Association. She enjoyed volunteering at the Bangor Homeless Shelter and the American Folk Festival at Waterfront Park in Bangor.

Beth will be missed by her surviving family, including her daughters, Tracy (Ted) Kihm and Amy (Mike) Byrn both of Lawrence, KS, and Jill (John) Balogh of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren, Stephen Schmille, Leslie Schmille, Sarah Beth (Craig Stoppel) Schmille, Nick (Hannah) Balogh, Daniel Balogh, Dylan (Nicole) Geiger, Lauren (Elliot) Vaughn, Patrick (Erin Doran) Balogh, John Kihm, and Morgan (Josh) Bergeron; great grandchildren, Veda Balogh, Maverick Vaughn, Lottie Balogh, Maren Vaughn, Grayson Bergeron, and a sixth great grandchild due in June; brother Richard (Nancy) Bohnet of Sausalito, CA and sister Nancy (Dave) Tank of Alexandria, MN; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family wants to thank the staff of Bridge Haven Memory Care and Ascend Hospice for their loving care. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. In honor of her memory, we will strive to live by her favorite motto, ‘I will be pleased and surprised at how well it all turns out.’

In her memory, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lawrence or the Bangor Historical Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence, Kansas.