Darrin Lynn Kohrt

Darrin Lynn Kohrt

Cedar Rapids

Darrin Kohrt, 54, Loxton, South Australia, died Thursday, July 28, 2022, after a fierce and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral and burial will be in Loxton, South Australia.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stanwood, Iowa, with the Rev. Daniel Ognoskie officiating.

Darrin Lynn Kohrt was born Jan. 6, 1968, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Carl and Marie (Falkers) Kohrt of Tipton, Iowa. He was baptized into Christ March 31, 1968, and confirmed May 5, 1981, at St. Paul’s Stanwood. Darrin graduated from Clarence-Lowden in 1986. After high school, Darrin’s undergrad studies were at Iowa State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry. He attended Colorado State University graduating with a Master’s degree in Animal Science. Darrin then went on to become a Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., graduating with also a Master’s in Theology. Darrin did his vicarage in Cole Camp, Missouri at Trinity Lutheran Church from 1994 to 1995.

Darrin was diagnosed with Peutz Jeghers Syndrome as a young child, he had many hospital stays, through it all he stayed a strong, vibrant and curious little boy. Darrin was second-in-line in the Kohrt family, one older sister Deborah and two younger sisters, Darci and Dawn. Darrin enjoyed boating, water skiing, fishing, baseball and helping on the farm growing up in rural Clarence, Iowa. One of his favorite things to do was watch a good Iowa thunderstorm roll in. You could often hear Darrin playing Trumpet Voluntary during the Easter sunrise service at church whenever he was home at St. Paul’s. Darrin was very studious and excelled in math and science. He had his pick of graduate schools. He succeeded at every turn of his academic career. He was a brilliant mind and a published author. Darrin had a quick wit. He continued to be drawn to the Word of God even at a young age. He was so very ambitious.

During his time of study at Fort Wayne, Ind., Darrin met a girl from Adelaide, So Australia (Vanessa Voigt) and the rest, as they say is history. He found the love of his life in Vanessa. Darrin and Vanessa continued their courtship while he was on vicarage at Cole Camp, Mo. June 8, 1996, they were married.

Darrin’s first Pastoral call was to Gloria Christi Lutheran Church in Greeley, Colo. He was ordained Aug. 4, 1996.

Back in Colorado, he continued his love for the mountains. Darrin and Vanessa enjoyed all recreations Colorado life allowed. Darrin had a natural athletic ability for skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. Darrin conquered Long’s Peak (a fourteener) while living in CO. He also served as the Pastoral Advisor for the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Laymen’s League.

Darrin was called to be a Lutheran minister in Loxton, So Australia March of 2006, where he had the Pastoral care of Concordia Lutheran Church and four outlying congregations.

Darrin was intrigued and embraced the benefits of his new life. He chased red fox and kangaroo called spotlighting with local farmers. He loved a good campfire with his parishioners. He even tried a little surfing on the pristine beaches of South Australia, he was always up for a new challenge. A highlight of his ministry was to baptize others into Christ Jesus. Pastor Kohrt’s Bible Study was always a favorite. He served as a zone counselor in the Riverland along with being on the board of nursing homes. Darrin was instrumental in the building of new independent living units and a new chapel.

Darrin had a love for travel and learning of other cultures. He became a bit of a wine snob while living in Australia.

Darrin was a wonderful cook and a proficient gardener, wherever life took him, he always had a green thumb, from the fertile soil in Iowa, to the mountains in Colorado, or the Riverland in Australia. In the winter, he loved stoking the fire in the fireplace or wood stove.

Recently, Darrin celebrated 25 years in the ministry. He was well respected by all colleagues.

Darrin was a devoted son and never forgot his roots in Iowa and always came home during harvest to bring in the crop. It was a special time he enjoyed with his late father, Carl.

Darrin is survived by his loving wife, Vanessa, mother and father-in-law, Bill and Wendy Voigt; brother-in-law, Alex Voigt; sister-in-law, Lisa Voigt, all of Australia; mother, Marie Kohrt, Clarence; sisters, Deborah (Todd) Bohlen, Belle Plaine, Darci (Steve) Alley, Houston, Texas, and Dawn (Bryan) Caspary, Clarence; and nephews and nieces, Vance, Brodie, Ashton and Olivia Bohlen, Abigail and Christina Alley, Avery and Bailee Caspary.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl.

A devout husband, beloved brother, cherished son and adored uncle.

Mostly a faithful servant of the Word to so many. Darrin will be greatly missed.

“Be faithful unto death and I will give you the Crown of Life.” Revelation 2:10