Obituary of Stephen A Koch

Stephen A. Koch, 71, of Worthington passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019, at MercyOne in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2019, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville. The American Legion Post #137 will gather for a service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Worthington, Iowa with burial at St. Francis Xavier cemetery in Dyersville.  Rev. Douglas Loecke will officiate and Rev. Dennis Quint will concelebrate.

Steve was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Kathy, children: Mary (Kurt) Mrowicki of Chicago, Terry (Pam) Koch of Minneapolis, Julie (Dennis) Womer of Dyersville, Steven (Jessica) Koch of St. Mary’s, PA, David (Amy) Koch of Eldridge, Michael (Katie) Koch of Ames, Kevin Koch (special friend Alyssa Anderson) of Dubuque, nine grandchildren, siblings: Janet Westhoff of Manchester, Jerry (Jeanine) Koch of Dyersville, Ken (Diane) Koch of Petersburg, Carol (Jim) Cole of Hopkinton, in-laws: Janet (Don) Schmitt of Holy Cross, Joan (Les) Feldmann of Rickardsville, John Decker of Sherrill, Larry (Trudy) Decker of Sherrill, Ann (Andy) Baumann of Dubuque, and many nieces and nephews, including his goddaughter, Vicki Ries of Earlville.

He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Lawrence and Loretta Decker,

brother Robert “Bob” Koch, in-laws: June Decker in infancy, Walter Westhoff, nephew Joe Koch, and niece Tricia Yauk.

Steve was born September 11, 1947 in Dyersville, Iowa the son of Lawrence and Julanda (Osterhaus) Koch.  He received his education at St. Peter & Paul elementary in Petersburg, St. Boniface High School in New Vienna, and graduated from Loras College.  He married Kathy Decker on August 14, 1971 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Sherrill, Iowa.  Together they farmed south of Worthington, raising livestock and crops.  After over 25 years as a Rural Letter Carrier with the Farley post office he enjoyed farming full time.

Steve began his career doing carpentry with brothers Jerry and Bob, working his way through college.  He taught history and social studies at Beckman High School 1971-76.  He proudly used his carpentry talents to build the family home and many farm buildings. He enjoyed working on the Field of Dreams and Miles From Home movie sets.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Worthington where he was a eucharistic minister and lector for many years.  He was an active supporter of St. Paul’s Elementary and Beckman Catholic High School including serving on the board of education for both. He served as a Dubuque County Farm Bureau President. He enjoyed coaching Worthington Little League baseball.

He was a proud Veteran of the US Army Reserves 389th Engineering Battalion based in Dubuque. He was a member of the American Legion Post#137. He served as a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in Dyersville.

Steve was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Indians, Iowa Hawkeyes, and local teams including his grandchildren’s sports teams. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, traveling locally and abroad, joking and telling stories, and spending time with friends and family.  He was a steady partner with Kathy making many rhubarb and apple pies.

The family would like to thank everyone who helped in the emergency response for Steve at the farm that morning and the Mercy One Dubuque ER Staff.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a memorial fund in Steve’s memory which will include a gift to Beckman Catholic High School.