Michael J. Koch

Michael John Koch, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 12, 2025, after being diagnosed with ALS just under a month ago. A Funeral Mass will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, August 15, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church. Visitation will be Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with vigil service at 7:00 P.M. all held at the church. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Mike was born to Christopher and Clara (Lux) Koch on June 3, 1952. He was born in Newcastle, NE, moved to Sergeant Bluff area as a young child, and graduated from Heelan High School. He was drafted during the Vietnam War, serving in the Army as a gunner on an 8” Holitzer. On April 28, 1972, Mike married Gaylene Schooley. In this union, three children were born: Kerry (Michael), Audrey, and Holly (Aaron). On July 13, 1991, he married Jayne (Friedrich) Koch, and had three children: Becky (Zach); Annie (Aaron); and John (Maddie).

Mike had many jobs throughout his life. Mike’s father died in a train accident while Mike was in high school, so he helped on the family farm. After serving in the Army, Mike worked at FMC, Staber Meats, Pegler Sisco, and drove semi for Werner and Schuster. His most rewarding job was his final job, which he continued until July 3, doing a variety of maintenance and landscaping jobs at Trinity Heights. He poured unimaginable blood, sweat, and tears into keeping Trinity Heights a spiritual retreat for all who visited. Mike loved spending his time there just as much as he did at home.

His hobbies have always included woodworking, doing his daily readings, organizing elaborate holiday meals for his family months in advance, spending time with family, and most recently, binge watching The Chosen. He was a proud 4th Degree Knight and very involved in the St. Michael’s Church community. From being overly excited about making coffee for Fish Dinners, ushering, being a eucharistic minister, or making omelets, involvement in Church was his life. Mike adored his grandchildren, and was especially excited to have a new grandson, Oliver, to play trucks with in the upcoming years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Jayne; children, Kerry (Michael) Behrendt and grandchildren, Madeline and Joseph of New Berlin, WI; Audrey Schooley of Urbandale, IA; Holly (Aaron) Sullivan of La Crosse, WI; Becky (Zach) Santee and grandchildren, Abby, Maya, Emma, and Oliver of Fargo, ND; Annie (Aaron) Rife of Buhl, ID; John (Maddie) Koch of Iowa City, IA; siblings, Donna Culver of Sioux City, Mark (Janie) Koch of Sergeant Bluff, Paul (Lynne) Koch of Unionville, MO, Pat (Tammy) Koch of Hot Springs, AR, and Rose (Eric) Palsgaard of Hollister, CA; maternal aunt, Mary (Marlin) Stewart of South Sioux City, NE; mother-in-law, Agnes Friedrich of Sioux Falls, SD; brothers-in-law, Fr. Jim Friedrich of Wagner, SD, Lloyd (Ivone) Friedrich of Lavras, Brazil, Lyle Friedrich of Rock Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Jackie (Faez) AlSaffar of Sioux Falls, SD; many cousins, nephews and nieces; dear friends that he referred to as brothers, Shane Sheffer and Jim Berens; and special friend whom he lovingly referred to as “Book Lady”, Terry Moran, who continuously supplied Mike with religious reading materials and was a great friend.

Awaiting Michael in Heaven are his father, Christopher Koch; mother, Clara Winn; siblings, Larry Koch, Rita Staber, and Martin Koch; niece, Shannon Koch; nephews, Kevin Culver and Kyle Koch; brother-in-law, Bob Culver; and father-in-law, Irwin Friedrich.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be split between Owen’s Outfitters of Sioux Falls, where Dad gratefully borrowed supplies for his short term needs, and Hospice of the Midwest, who sent him a physical angel, Jason, on his last days on Earth.