James L. Koch

To view the funeral service for James Koch, please click on the Tribute Wall at the top of the webpage. James Louis Koch, 90, of Van Meter, passed away early Sunday, July 5, 2020, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. A visitation will be held 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel, where family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family asks that those in attendance to please follow social distancing guidelines. Masks are recommended. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 9 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Van Meter for family and church members only due to Covid-19. Live streaming of the service will be on Jim’s Tribute Wall at www.caldwellparrish.com. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 403 of Van Meter. Jim was born May 15, 1930 in Madison County, Iowa to Alfred Herbert Koch and Nora Gertrude (Lienemann) Koch. He graduated from De Soto High School in 1947. Jim served four years in the United States Air Force, last serving as a crew chief in the 305th Bombardment Wing. Once Jim returned from service, he ran a bulldozer and built many ponds and terraces in the Van Meter area before farming full time until his retirement. In 1956, Jim married Margaret Elaine Rehbein and together the couple made their home on the farm south of De Soto where they raised two children. Jim was a lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Van Meter where he served in various capacities including chairman, elder, and Sunday school teacher. Jim also served a number of years as a Madison County Soil Commissioner, on the board of directors for the Madison County Historical Society and as a member of the American Legion Post 403. Jim loved to stay busy working on the farm and in his yard and garden. Jim and Margaret also loved to travel and see the world, visiting family and friends on the way. He never met a stranger and was always an example of how to treat people kindly. Jim also never met a plate of food he didn’t like. One of his greatest joys was family gatherings, large and small. Jim is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Kerry (Don) Beatty of Atkins and Jeff (Diane) Koch of Van Meter; grandchildren, Michelle Beatty, Benjamin Koch, Megan Koch, and Kendra (Alex) Hage; and great-grandson, Herb Hage. Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Jerri; sister, Frances; brother, Dwaine; and his parents, Alfred and Nora.