Gerald Dean Koch

Gerald Dean Koch, 72, of New Providence, formerly of Wellsburg, passed away December 1, 2022, at Cedar Valley Hospice House in Waterloo. A visitation will be held December 23^rd from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a brief memorial service following at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church rural Wellsburg.

Gerald was born December 13, 1949, at Allen Hospital, Waterloo, the son of Ernest and Elaine (Hostetter) Koch. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Wellsburg.

Graduated 1969 from Grundy Center High School. After graduation, he attended Hawkeye Tech, studying television and radio repair. Gerald joined his dad farming on the family farm until 1973, when they moved to town. At that time, he worked for Mid-Equipment until its closing. He worked for Irwin Abel at Surge, hired hand for a few farmers in the Ackley area, before finally finding his true work passion welding for A.L. Buseman Industries Kesley until he retired.

Gerald enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, 4-H, Boy Scouts, car racing, archery, ham radio, and playing cards. He was a member of the Pineridge Gun Club. He loved his cars and motorcycles. Gerald was a huge history buff and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memories are his two sisters, Janice (Jerry) Roe of Eldora and Marcia (Rodney) Stahl of Wellsburg; nieces and nephews, Ryan Beenken of Lahaina, HI, Lacy (Matt) Rose of Wellsburg, Jyll (Steve) Van Hamme of Wellsburg; great-nieces and nephews, Lane and Eli Rose, Layla and Meika Guevara, and Nile Van Hamme. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice in Gerald’s name.