Meet Viterbo University's Becky Koehler
Pictured above (from left to right): Starling, Carter, Zeth, Zaiden, Becky, and Toby
Written by: Tayler Garves
November 16, 2020
“Becky is authentic! She is a great asset to Viterbo with her easy-going personality, but also her compassion for students and all the people around her,” says Kim Garves, one of Becky Koehler’s coworkers at Viterbo University.
Becky Koehler is currently an assistant professor in the nursing program here at Viterbo. She began her time at Viterbo just this year, right before COVID-19 hit. Koehler teaches one class and is also a laboratory and clinical instructor for sophomore and junior nursing students.
In our interview together, I asked Koehler what she is proud of in her life. Koehler stated that she is very proud of her children and who they are as people. “I am proud of their passions and interests and really feel that any day I spend with them are the best days of my life,” Koehler speaks. “I am constantly amazed at their resilience and commitment to being amazing, kind, compassionate, and respectful humans.”
Koehler also told me that she is proud to be the first college graduate from her family. She is truly proud of finding her calling in nursing. With her nursing degree, Koehler currently works at the Tomah VA hospital and has now gotten to teach nursing at Viterbo University in her current position as an assistant professor.
Along with being proud of her children and her current status as a professor and nurse, Koehler is also proud of her dad. “My dad is a veteran and was actually deployed to Desert Storm. He struggled with PTSD for many years but has really found a good outlet in being outdoors, fishing, and camping. He really makes me proud to be his daughter,” Koehler reflects.
Koehler grew up on a 250-acre tree farm in Cataract, Wisconsin with her two sisters and her grandparents who helped raise her. Koehler remembers her "nursing career" beginning when she was in high school as she helped care for her grandparents when they became sick. Koehler also received her CNA (certified nursing assistant) certification while she was in high school and worked as a CNA at the nursing home where her grandmother resided.
Koehler remembers visiting her grandmother in the nursing home. There was a male resident who had a room just down the hallway from Koehler’s grandmother and Koehler remembers talking with and interacting with this resident every time that she was there visiting. From a young age, Koehler received memorable experience working with "patients."
Koehler graduated high school and became pregnant with her first son, Zeth, when she was 19 years old. “He really helped me grow and blossom as a mom and person,” Koehler reflects. Starling, Koehler’s daughter, came two years after that. On top of raising two young kids, Koehler took classes at Western Technical College, received a two-year paralegal degree, worked at the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy and then returned to school at Viterbo University where she switched from a degree in management to a degree in nursing.
For as far back as she can remember, Koehler had always wanted to be a nurse but did not think she was smart enough to handle it and struggled with attention deficit issues. Nevertheless, Koehler pursued her desires and received her master’s degree in nursing through an online course, all while she worked at the Tomah VA hospital, had a third child, Carter, and continued to raise her other two children.
Currently, Koehler lives about half an hour from La Crosse in Minnesota with her significant other, Toby, her “bonus son,” Zaiden, and her son, Carter, part-time. Koehler and Toby currently own an escape room in downtown La Crosse as well as an axe-throwing, bar, and arcade spot.
When I had first emailed professor Koehler about being the subject of this news article, she told me, “I have lived a very passionate, interesting life and I’d be happy to share it with you.” Indeed, Koehler’s life has been full of surprises and unexpected events, but nevertheless, she pursued and pushed through the moments in life that threw her a curveball.
“I would advise every college student to stick with it and find something you are passionate about. Find an interest in everything to make the learning more fun,” Koehler says. Becky is a role model for us all as she continues to move through life with a positive outlook and a smile on her face.
About the author: Tayler Garves is a current nursing student at Viterbo University and has had Becky Koehler as a professor for two semesters now. Tayler grew up with her parents and two sisters in Onalaska, Wisconsin and currently resides here in La Crosse, Wisconsin with her boyfriend, Tommy. Tayler can be reached at the following email: [email protected]
Written by: Tayler Garves
November 16, 2020
“Becky is authentic! She is a great asset to Viterbo with her easy-going personality, but also her compassion for students and all the people around her,” says Kim Garves, one of Becky Koehler’s coworkers at Viterbo University.
Becky Koehler is currently an assistant professor in the nursing program here at Viterbo. She began her time at Viterbo just this year, right before COVID-19 hit. Koehler teaches one class and is also a laboratory and clinical instructor for sophomore and junior nursing students.
In our interview together, I asked Koehler what she is proud of in her life. Koehler stated that she is very proud of her children and who they are as people. “I am proud of their passions and interests and really feel that any day I spend with them are the best days of my life,” Koehler speaks. “I am constantly amazed at their resilience and commitment to being amazing, kind, compassionate, and respectful humans.”
Koehler also told me that she is proud to be the first college graduate from her family. She is truly proud of finding her calling in nursing. With her nursing degree, Koehler currently works at the Tomah VA hospital and has now gotten to teach nursing at Viterbo University in her current position as an assistant professor.
Along with being proud of her children and her current status as a professor and nurse, Koehler is also proud of her dad. “My dad is a veteran and was actually deployed to Desert Storm. He struggled with PTSD for many years but has really found a good outlet in being outdoors, fishing, and camping. He really makes me proud to be his daughter,” Koehler reflects.
Koehler grew up on a 250-acre tree farm in Cataract, Wisconsin with her two sisters and her grandparents who helped raise her. Koehler remembers her "nursing career" beginning when she was in high school as she helped care for her grandparents when they became sick. Koehler also received her CNA (certified nursing assistant) certification while she was in high school and worked as a CNA at the nursing home where her grandmother resided.
Koehler remembers visiting her grandmother in the nursing home. There was a male resident who had a room just down the hallway from Koehler’s grandmother and Koehler remembers talking with and interacting with this resident every time that she was there visiting. From a young age, Koehler received memorable experience working with "patients."
Koehler graduated high school and became pregnant with her first son, Zeth, when she was 19 years old. “He really helped me grow and blossom as a mom and person,” Koehler reflects. Starling, Koehler’s daughter, came two years after that. On top of raising two young kids, Koehler took classes at Western Technical College, received a two-year paralegal degree, worked at the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy and then returned to school at Viterbo University where she switched from a degree in management to a degree in nursing.
For as far back as she can remember, Koehler had always wanted to be a nurse but did not think she was smart enough to handle it and struggled with attention deficit issues. Nevertheless, Koehler pursued her desires and received her master’s degree in nursing through an online course, all while she worked at the Tomah VA hospital, had a third child, Carter, and continued to raise her other two children.
Currently, Koehler lives about half an hour from La Crosse in Minnesota with her significant other, Toby, her “bonus son,” Zaiden, and her son, Carter, part-time. Koehler and Toby currently own an escape room in downtown La Crosse as well as an axe-throwing, bar, and arcade spot.
When I had first emailed professor Koehler about being the subject of this news article, she told me, “I have lived a very passionate, interesting life and I’d be happy to share it with you.” Indeed, Koehler’s life has been full of surprises and unexpected events, but nevertheless, she pursued and pushed through the moments in life that threw her a curveball.
“I would advise every college student to stick with it and find something you are passionate about. Find an interest in everything to make the learning more fun,” Koehler says. Becky is a role model for us all as she continues to move through life with a positive outlook and a smile on her face.
About the author: Tayler Garves is a current nursing student at Viterbo University and has had Becky Koehler as a professor for two semesters now. Tayler grew up with her parents and two sisters in Onalaska, Wisconsin and currently resides here in La Crosse, Wisconsin with her boyfriend, Tommy. Tayler can be reached at the following email: [email protected]