Jerome Joseph Koch Obituary (1927

Jerome Joseph Koch was born on January 8, 1927, in Raeville, Nebraska, the son of John and Marie (Recker) Koch. Jerome attended Raeville School until his family moved to a farm south of Lamont, Iowa in 1943. Jerome served in the U.S. Army from 1945- 1946 during WWII. During this time he was trained on the Amphibian Tanks at Monterey Bay, California and took great pride in being a recruiter for the army. He was released from the Army in 1946 due to the war ending. Jerome was united in marriage to Verna Mae Kremer on August 19, 1953. They met at a St. Mary's Church dance. Their marriage was blessed with six children. He was a devoted and lifelong member of St. Mary's Church in Lamont. He was an active supporter and leader of the Lamont American Legion and enjoyed his time there. Jerome farmed near Lamont with Verna, where they worked side by side to create their family farm. Jerome was a true farmer at heart. He loved the land and worked hard, becoming a successful and respected farmer. Also, he was a great "fixer" and could fix just about anything. He was a caring and soft spoken man and was always willing to offer help to those in need. He was very devoted to his family, and his kids were the most important thing to him. Jereme Koch, 91, entered into his eternal rest on Friday, February 9, 2018 at his farm home. He is survived by his wife, Verna of 64 years; six children: Jacquelin (Rick) Fliehler of Waterloo, IA; Mary (Parker) Fransen of Strawberry Point, IA; Linda (David) Peters of Chanhassen, MN; Patti (Mark) Schroeder of Clinton, IA; James Koch of Lamont, IA; and John (Kristin) Koch of Muscatine, IA; nine grandchildren/stepgrandchildren: Laura (Josh) Rank, Ryan (Elizabeth) Gericke, Chris (Kelly) Gericke, David (Siri) Fliehler, Amanda (Travis) Flanders, Molly (RJ) Kasper, Courtney Petersen, Ben Peters, and Ryan Schroeder; six great grandchildren: Harper Rank, Charlie Rank, Anna Rank, Ava Gericke, Lane Flanders, and Sage Fliehler; one sister Marilyn (Jim) Welter of Masonville and one brother LaVerne (Mary) Koch of Aurora. He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Marie Koch; three brothers: James (Sonny) Koch, Vincent Koch, and Florian Koch; and two sisters: Dorothy Koch and Dacia Ward. Jerome will be greatly missed by the community and family that he cherished, but will live in our memories and prayers. A special thank you to Regional Medical Center, in-home care, Hospice and extended family that helped him through his last few months. "I hope I am leaving the world a better place than when I entered it." Jerome Joseph Koch Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 17, 2018 in St. Mary's Catholic Church at Strawberry Point with Father John Hougen officiating. Music provided by Darrell Lendt and Becky Searcy. Interment with Military Rites by Lamont American Legion in St. Albert's Cemetery at Lamont, Iowa. Casketbearers will be Laura Rank, Ryan Gericke, Chris Gericke, David Fliehler, Amanda Flanders, Ben Peters, and Ryan Schroeder. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Friday, February 16, 2018 with a scripture service at 2:30 PM all at the Grace United Methodist Church Building in Lamont, Iowa and on Saturday, February 17 from 9:30 AM until service time at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Strawberry Point. The Fawcett Funeral Home of Lamont is assisting the family with arrangements. Online at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.