Lani Kohrt

Lani S (Steele) Kohrt passed away after a long battle with cancer, on Wednesday January 15th, 2025, in her parents’ home. Lani was born to Ron and Naomi (LInderud) Steele on April 30th, 1966, in Honolulu Hawaii, while her dad was in the navy. Due to her dad being in the navy, Lani attended multiple schools, spending most of her time in Norwich, Connecticut, and finishing her senior year at Stoughton High School. She then attended Midland Lutheran College for nursing, working first as a CNA in the ICU, and then as a dialysis tech at the UW Hospital in Madison. 

When her daughter was born, she decided to take a break from working to be a stay at home mom. Lani was very active in her community. She is a member of First Lutheran Church, and a beloved member of their bell choir, ringing for 35 years. She also worked for the church for several years as their Sunday School Director. When her children got to be school age, she became a school cook, first working at Martin Luther Christian School, and then for the Stoughton Area School District. As her children reached high school, Lani joined the Band Boosters, and very quickly earned the title of “Band Mom”. Her love knew no bounds. After her children moved out, Lani went to work as a cook at Nazareth House, where she stayed until her diagnosis in October of 2020. As her condition worsened, her best friend, MaryEllen Gordon, stuck by her side, taking her to and from appointments, and even sitting with her through her treatments. 

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Todd F. Kohrt; daughter Jessica (Chris) Kohrt; son Tristan Kohrt; father Ron Steele; 3 brothers R. Scott (Lisa) Steele, Richard (Joan) Steele, and Andrew (Tera) Steele; sister-in-law Colleen Steele; and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her mother Naomi Steele; brother Brian Steele; nephew Jackson Steele; and grandparents Norris & Hellen Linderud. 

She was well-known and well-loved by all who knew her. Her strength, faith and perseverance throughout her life, even through the hardest of battles, will be an inspiration to all who were blessed to know her. 

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 25, 2025 at First Lutheran Church, 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at Church.