Harold Koch Passes at Age 90
Clarence Harold Koch, 90, of Elba, died on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Graveside services were held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the Elba Cemetery in Elba. Bishop Jon Rosenlund officiated. Military honors were provided by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul and the U.S. Army Funeral Honors Team. Emily Bauer sang. Musical selections included “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”, “Build Me a Cabin in the Corner of Glory Land”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and “Amazing Grace”.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul assisted the family.
Harold was born on November 25, 1931, at Hillside, Colorado, to Charles Albertis and Ruth Ada (Poet) Koch, in the middle of a blizzard. He was delivered by his father because the doctor was unable to get there.
He graduated from Salida High School in 1950. He then served in the United States Army from August 1952 until August 1954, during the Korean Conflict.
He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Burk. To this union, two daughters were born, Cathy and Ann. In 1960, he graduated from Pueblo College in Pueblo, Colorado with a degree in diesel mechanics. He then began working as a diesel mechanic at Cummins in Denver. In 1966, Mary Ann passed away. He enjoyed water skiing and camping with Cathy and Ann.
In 1976, Harold was united in marriage to Linda Kay (Foley) Stephens and gained a son and daughter, Patrick and Missy. In 1979, the family moved to Craig, Colorado. After retiring from Cummins, he became a rural mail carrier, a job he held until 1998. In 1991, Harold and Linda completed their family with the adoption of their daughter, Sarah.
He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Linda Koch of Elba; his children, Cathy (David) Landes of Berthoud, Colorado, Ann (Jerry) Blair of Brighton, Colorado, Missy Garcia of Denver, Colorado, Patrick Stephens of Denver, Colorado, and Sarah Koch of Elba; and his honorary daughter, Chris Fahrenbruch of McCook; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jenny Koch of Pueblo, Colorado, Chuck (Barbara) Burk and Claud (Linda) Burk, all of Kiln, Mississippi, Joe (Koko) Foley of Northglenn, Colorado, Mike Foley of Denver, Judi Schneider of Denver, Colorado, Sandie Gregg of Bennett, Colorado, Nancy (Wayne) Harvey of Northglenn, Colorado, Terri Allen of Thornton, Colorado, Gail (Wayne) Palone of Bennett, Colorado; three dogs, Daisy Mae, Dolly, and Buddy; and many friends.
In addition to his first wife, Mary Ann, he was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, P.J. Garcia; and siblings, Les, Alberta, Ronald, and Kathleen.