Charles Koch

Charles Leo Koch passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 15, 2019, surrounded by his loving family at Veterans Hospice Center in Des Moines, after battling various cancers for nine years. Charlie was born on November 4, 1931 in Panama, IA to Pauline and Leo Koch. After attending high school, he was called to serve our country as a member of the Army during the Korean War. Upon returning home from the service, he married the love of his life, Geraldine (Gerry) Andersen. They were blessed with one son and seven daughters. The couple lived in Omaha where Charlie was a manager for Carl A. Anderson Automotive and Small Engines for 20 years before being transferred to Des Moines, IA to open the Replacement Parts Warehouse (RPW). He later joined Medart Engine, as a small engine representative. After he retired he delivered prescriptions to various nursing homes across the state for sixteen years. He was a member of the Knights Of Columbus, obtaining his 1st Degree membership on February 1, 1951., Charlie was honored in 2018 as the longest tenured member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church,. Charlie and Gerry enjoyed bowling on Friday nights and attending tournaments. They loved traveling, camping and going south for the winter. They picked out their favorite places near Gulf Shores, MS where they met many longtime friends. He especially enjoyed time with his family and going on numerous family vacations. He is survived by his wife Gerry, of 64 years, one son, Robert (Bob) (Karen) Koch, Omaha, NE and daughters Shirley (Rick) Taylor, Urbandale, IA, Sharon (Kirby) Roenfeld, Mineola, IA, Carol (Mark) Weaver, West Des Moines, IA, Barbara (Jeff) Borts, West Des Moines, IA, Julie (Allan) Drees, West Des Moines, IA and Geri Ann (John) Farley, Sergeant Bluff, IA; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His brothers Rev Eugene Koch, West Des Moines, Rev Paul Koch, Council Bluffs, IA, Walter (Elaine) Koch, Council Bluffs, IA, sister Mary Agnes (Leroy) Lampe, Omaha, NE and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his infant daughter Teri Ann, parents Leo and Pauline Koch, brothers, Linus, Lou and Dick Koch; sisters Natalia Koch and Donna Feldman. A special thank you to all the doctors and nurses that have treated and cared for him over the last 9 years, we couldn’t have asked for a greater group of people to take such good care of him. Family will be available during the visitation service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, West Des Moines IA, on Monday, January 21, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 3:30 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, January 22, at 10:30 am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, his brothers Rev Eugene Koch and Rev Paul Koch will concelebrate the mass. A luncheon will follow the mass in the parish hall. He will be laid to rest at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for memorials to Iowa Veterans Hospice and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.