Margaret Zihlman Kohring

Margaret Zihlman Kohring passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the age of 95.

Born on July 18, 1931, in Windthorst, Texas, Margaret lived a life filled with love, kindness, and quiet grace. She had a gift for making people feel welcome and cared for, and everyone knew her for her warm heart and ever-present smile that lit up the room. Whether she was a friend, neighbor, family member, or simply someone you met along the way, Margaret had a way of making people feel special. She was truly loved by all who knew her.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Frank Kohring. She leaves behind her daughters, Lisa and Kay; her son-in-law, Keith; her grandchildren, Christopher and Kate; her siblings, Will, Stan, and Diane; and many nieces and nephews. Her family was truly a source of joy for Margaret. Please know how deeply she cherished each of you.

In her later years, Margaret was blessed to be cared for with extraordinary love and devotion by her daughter, Lisa. Her selfless care, patience, and constant presence were a true gift, providing comfort every day. It was one final expression of the deep love they shared, and our family will always be grateful for everything Lisa did for her.

Margaret began her working life as a secretary in Dallas, TX, for Mobil Oil before choosing to stay home to raise her family in Dallas, Concord, CA, Greensboro. NC, and finally Durham, NC. Her Christian faith was a lifelong and deeply cherished part of Margaret’s life, providing both comfort and strength. Margaret enjoyed many hobbies, including ceramics, sewing, crocheting, and cooking, and, as a proud Texan, she loved watching football. Once her daughters were grown, she embraced new adventures. She trained as a travel agent and enjoyed working at Lucas Travel and First TravelCorp in Greensboro. Never one to stop learning, she later earned her real estate license.

One of Margaret's greatest joys in life was discovering her love of travel. She saw places she had once only dreamed of, visiting Hawaii, Egypt, Turkey, and much of Europe. One of her favorite adventures was traveling on the Orient Express, which took her from China to Mongolia to Russia.

Margaret also expressed her love through her kitchen. She was a wonderful cook, known especially for her fried chicken and homemade biscuits, but baking was her true passion. Family and friends eagerly looked forward to her apple pies, cakes, and an endless variety of cookies. For Margaret, baking was another way of showing the people she loved that they mattered.

More than anything, Margaret will be remembered for the way she lived. She led with kindness and grace and always found a reason to smile. Her gentle spirit, generous heart, and quiet strength made the world a better place for those fortunate enough to know her.

We love you, Mom, and we will carry you with us always.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Margaret’s memory to St. Matthew Catholic Church in Durham, NC, or UNC Hospice in Chapel Hill, NC. 

The Kohring Family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service of Durham, North Carolina. Online condolences may be made at www.hallwynne.com/obituaries