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Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch

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Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch

Birth	:	7 Aug 1913 Sumatra, Rosebud County, Montana, USA
Death	:	27 May 2010 Red Lodge, Carbon County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Bridger Cemetery, Bridger, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.2825012, -108.9244003
Description	:	BRIDGER — On May 27, 2010, Joseph F. Koch, left this world to join the love of his life, Emma. His granddaughter Pam was at his side. He had been a resident of Beartooth Long Term Care Unit at Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, Red Lodge, for 2 1/2 years. Joe was born on Aug. 7, 1913, the eighth of fifteen children born to Anton and Anna Koch. He was the first of his siblings to be born in Montana, and entered this world in a tent behind the Koch home at Sumatra, Mont. He shared with his family many times,... Read More	BRIDGER — On May 27, 2010, Joseph F. Koch, left this world to join the love of his life, Emma. His granddaughter Pam was at his side. He had been a resident of Beartooth Long Term Care Unit at Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, Red Lodge, for 2 1/2 years. Joe was born on Aug. 7, 1913, the eighth of fifteen children born to Anton and Anna Koch. He was the first of his siblings to be born in Montana, and entered this world in a tent behind the Koch home at Sumatra, Mont. He shared with his family many times, "I remember that day well!" The family worked and farmed the homestead, surviving the struggles of weather, drought, grasshoppers and poor crops. Joe attended school through the eighth grade, and drove his younger siblings to school while attending high school. He got a job in Sumatra so he could continue high school, sharing a room with Bob Rowland. He eventually had to give up getting a high school education and returned to help his family at the farm. When an older sister lost her husband, she moved to the Koch home with her five young sons; Joe said "20 plus were at the table for meals, and an antelope made one meal for the bunch." He learned to play the button accordion and harmonica, and with his brothers had a band that played for dances and gatherings in the Sumatra and Ingomar areas. Music and playing cards were the main entertainment for the family, which has been passed on to all the generations to this day. He and his brother Peter spent time in Idaho looking for work, and while there contracted smallpox. A family took them in and helped while they recovered. He met Emma Mathern of Acorn Flats at church and dances, courted her, and they were married on Sept. 6, 1937. They shared nearly 69 years together before Emma passed in July of 2006. To this union were born six children: Eugene, Gerald, Connie, Kathleen, Marilyn and Denis. They moved to Billings following their marriage. Joe was employed by Thompson Dairy where he delivered milk using a motorcycle with a side car. His other jobs included bartender, cookware salesman, and as a Northwest Distributing employee he bought cream from local farmers to make butter. In 1947, the family moved to Cody, Wyo., where Joe was employed by Gold Bar Dairy. In 1954, Joe and Emma bought the Bridger Creamery and settled in Bridger. Joe bought cream and milk from local farmers to make butter, cottage cheese and bottled milk. He retired in March of 1981. During his years in Bridger, Joe was an active member of the Lions Club for 21 years (providing entertainment as a can-can girl for the Lion's Night Club Dance), served on the town council for 12 years, was president of the local P.T.A., and was active in many community projects, including the Golden Age Senior Center. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for 56 years, helping to build the current church. He enjoyed having his family for Sunday dinner, playing cards, and being together at various family functions with all his siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe's family honored him with many birthday parties and they became a yearly reunion for all his brothers, sisters, children, family members and anyone who would stop by — an open invitation was the norm. He enjoyed a "happy hour" of wine and Cheetos, even during his time at the nursing home. He used mints as a substitute for smokes or chew after a meal, eventually switching to chocolate candies. He always had a quick answer or shared a point of humor with many, such as: if you said "I'm glad to see you", Joe would remark, "I'm glad you saw me, too." The staff at the nursing home were gifted to many of his quips, such as: "the service is so bad here today, I'm not going to leave a tip!" Joe is survived by his children: Eugene (Ilean) Koch, Gerald (Betty) Koch, Connie (Bob) Stringari, Kathleen Andruszko, Marilyn (Roben) Palmer and Denis (Cheryl) Koch; 18 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-granddaughters and a great-great-grandson due in September; many nieces; nephews and numerous friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; all 14 siblings; grandson John Koch; and many close friends. Joe, Dad, Grandpa, Grandpa Great, we will miss you— you have been an important part of our lives. We know you'll be there whenever we have a hot game of pitch. Special thanks and gratitude go out to the staff and caregivers at Beartooth Long Term Care and to Dr. Fouts for your care of Joe. You made all his days wonderful with your patience and love. God bless each and every one of you! A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, with funeral mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 3, both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bridger. Interment will be in the Bridger Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Clarks Fork Valley Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 94, Bridger MT 59014; Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, P.O. Box 309, Bridger MT 59014; or to Beartooth Hospice, P.O. Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59068. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge is in charge of the arrangements.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch's memorial?
Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch's memorial is located at: Bridger Cemetery, Bridger, Carbon County, USA.
When did Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch death?
Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch death on 27 May 2010 in Red Lodge, Carbon County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Joseph Francis “Joe” Koch's memorial?
Latitude: 45.2825012
Longitude: -108.9244003

Family Members:

Parent

Anton Koch Sr.

(1873 - 1954)

Anna Mathilda Hassler Koch

(1883 - 1943)

Spouse

Emma Marie Mathern Koch

(1918 - 2006)

Siblings

Anna Mathilda Koch Heck

(1900 - 1964)

Peter J Koch

(1902 - 1983)

Elizabeth Koch Schleder

(1904 - 1991)

Hilda Agnes Koch Smith

(1907 - 1998)

Agnes Matilda Koch Wantoch

(1908 - 1996)

John Nicholas Koch

(1909 - 2006)

Anton Francis Koch Jr.

(1912 - 1975)

Frederick L. Koch

(1915 - 1987)

(unknow - unknow)

Rudolph P. “Rudy” Koch

(1919 - 2000)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bridger Cemetery
Bridger, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2825012, -108.9244003

2. Mountain View Cemetery
Bridger, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2588997, -108.8910980

3. Silver Tip Ranch Cemetery
Bridger, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1889340, -108.9850340

4. Teeples Cemetery
Bridger, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3248600, -108.7785880

5. Gebo Cemetery
Fromberg, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4030000, -108.9242000

6. Beltz Cemetery
Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4049988, -109.0706024

7. Belfry Cemetery
Belfry, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1200570, -109.0106020

8. Roberts Cemetery
Roberts, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3605995, -109.1536026

9. Carbonado Cemetery
Joliet, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4585991, -109.0139008

10. Clear Creek Cemetery
Roberts, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2416992, -109.1931000

11. Bearcreek Cemetery
Bearcreek, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1577797, -109.1380615

12. Joliet Cemetery
Joliet, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4799995, -108.9985962

13. Bowler Cemetery
Bowler, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1492004, -108.7018967

14. Rockvale Cemetery
Rockvale, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4888770, -108.8626350

15. Red Lodge Cemetery
Red Lodge, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1947200, -109.2605200

16. Sunrise Cemetery
Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3105450, -109.2888330

17. Chance Mountain View Cemetery
Chance, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0447006, -109.0856018

18. John Henry Cemetery
Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2580986, -109.3031006

19. Tolman Cemetery
Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0611000, -109.1547012

20. Deuel Castange Cemetery
Red Lodge, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3380000, -109.3104370

21. Big Day Cemetery
Pryor, Big Horn County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4169006, -108.5653000

22. Plenty Coups State Park Cemetery
Pryor, Big Horn County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4287870, -108.5491920

23. Sings Good-Stewart Family Cemetery
Pryor, Big Horn County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4076540, -108.5289690

24. Saint Olaf Cemetery
Luther, Carbon County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4064636, -109.3343735