On November 11, 1869, Mary Koedyker Lohman was born as Maartje Koedijker in the Zipje Municipality, North Holland Province, The Netherlands. She was the fourth child of Simon and Jantze (nee Jongegen) Koedijker. In April of 1873, Mary and her family left North Holland for the United States. They first settled in eastern Cook County, south of Chicago, most likely in or near the town of Lansing. By the time Mary was 9 years of age, the family had settled along the "ridge road", in what is now Calumet Township, Lake County, Indiana. Their home was about 1 1/4 mile northwest of the small community of Ross. Mary's family continued to grow and by 1885, there were a total of 12 siblings, 8 girls and 4 boys. Among them were Nick, Clara, Annie, Mary, Florence, Ida, Corneal, Jane, Grace, Carrie, Gertie and John. The surname spelling used in the U.S was Koedyker, rather than the Dutch Koedijker.

Mary Koedyker married William Lohman, son of William and Sophia Lohman, in December of 1891. Mary and William made their home on the "ridge road", about a mile east of the Koedykers. They had 4 children, William, Jeannette (Keck,) Edward and Emery. The Lohmans farmed large acreage they owned and rented in Calumet Township. Mary was busy raising the children, helping with chores and feeding farm hands. Mary became a widow in 1937, upon William's death.

Mary was a Christian that read her Bible every day. When cataracts clouded her vision, she would have one of her grandkids read to her. The Lohman and Koedyker families were among the founding families and charter members of the Ross Reformed Church. Mary was a member of the Church's Century Club. People of the Church and the community referred to her as "Aunt Mary", because of the presence of so many Koedyker descendants. Aunt Mary's homemade bread was always a popular item at Church bazaars.

Mary Koedyker Lohman died in the Gary Convalescent Home on September 4, 1969, at the age of 99 years and 10 months. Surviving her were 4 siblings, 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was buried in the Ross Cemetery, with her husband and sons William and Edward.

Mary Koedyker Lohman was a good, kind and caring person who was loved and respected by all who knew her.


The Times, Hammond
September 9, 1969

LOHMAN
Mary Lohman, age 99 of Calumet Twp., passed away at the Gary Convalescent Home. Survivors are her son, Emery, of Gary, Mrs. Fred Keck of Gary, two brothers Corneal and John Koedyker of Gary,; two sisters Mrs. Ida Short of CA., and Mrs. Gertrude Stonebreaker of Gary, nine grandchildren, 14 great-greandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Funeral services are Monday at Ross Reformed Church with Rev. C.W. Muyskens officiating. Burial in Ross Cemetery, with Kuiper Funeral Home in charge.
She was a resident of the Calumet region for 95 years.