Robert "Bob" Koch

Robert "Bob" Koch, age 65, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Marion Pruitt – Jefferson and Rev. Harris Hostager presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 9:00 a.m., at the church on Saturday morning. Robert James Koch was born on January 25, 1945, the son of Walter and Mabel (Monson) Koch in Decorah, Iowa. Bob graduated from Decorah High School in 1963. Over the years, Bob worked for Coast to Coast Hardware Store, Anundsen’s Publishing Co. as a typesetter, Sieg Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, AY McDonald Supply, and the Decorah Auto Center until he retired in 2007. After retirement, Bob drove for Decorah Chevrolet-Cadillac and the Decorah Auto Center, transporting vehicles between dealers. Bob married Delores Wagner on July 16, 1966 at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah and to this union, two daughters were born: Kimberly and Kari. Bob enjoyed reading, walking his dog, Lucy, feeding and watering the birds. He was an avid Decorah Viking, Iowa Hawkeye and NASCAR fan. Above all, Bob loved his two grandsons and traveling to visit Kim in California. Bob was a life-long member of the First Lutheran Church, where he was an usher, since he was in high school. Bob is survived by his wife: Delores Koch, Decorah, IA. Two daughters: Kimberly (Robert) Fell, San Diego, CA, and Kari (Gene) Lind, West Des Moines, IA. Two grandsons: A.J. D’Ottavio and Cameron Lind. Bob’s mother-in-law: Angie Wagner, Spillville, IA. Two sisters: Norma (Jerome) Einck, Decorah, IA, and Judy (Darrell) Styve, Alexandria, MN. Two brothers-in-law: Dean Holzer, Decorah, IA, and Berchman Armstrong, Cedar Rapids, IA. One sister-in-law: Lois (Arnie) Meyer, Spillville, IA, along with several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Walter Koch on August 17, 1986 and Mabel Koch on Dec. 8, 1994. Five sisters: Ruth Mitchell in 1961, Alice Armstrong in 1989, Doris Holzer in 2002, Patricia Koch in 2002 and Betty (Storm) Gilbert in 2007. One brother: Curtis (Millie) Koch in 1995. Bob’s father-in-law: Frank Wagner in 2005.