Dean Koch, 84 of Prior Lake, MN passed away on Wednesday, August 20th at St. Gertrudes Health Care Center in Shakopee.
A 50 year resident of Prior Lake, Dean Elton Koch, was 84 years old, when he passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, August 20, 2014, while recovering at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Shakopee, MN. Dean’s Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at 11 am, with family greeting guests one hour prior, all at Friendship Church, 17741 Fairlawn Avenue, Prior Lake, MN. Dean’s sons will be his urn bearers.
On the fall day of October 30, 1929, in Minneapolis, MN, Dean was born to parents, Elton F. and Edith A (Turnrose) Koch. As a young child, Dean was very instrumental in the daily life of his family. Having deaf parents, meant he played an active role in helping his parents with communication. This role shaped Dean and matured him as a young man. Growing up in South Minneapolis, Dean and his younger brother, Paul also learned how to survive in the tough neighborhoods, yet having deaf parents, allowed them to get into mischief too and never got caught.
Graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1948, in South Minneapolis, Dean enlisted in the United States Army. He served from August 16, 1948 – June 18, 1952, at Fort Lewis, Washington and in Alabama in the Chemical War Fare Division. A great leader of the tank division, Dean received a commendation award (in theory) for keeping his troops safe during war exercises, even if it meant hiding his troops in the woods, where they played cards, smoked cigarettes and had a great time. Returning from the service, Dean attended the University of Minnesota for a few years and then spent the next 30 years working for the Ford Motor Company, as parts foreman. In 1985, he retired and enjoyed life.
At the church Luther League, Dean met the love of his life, Donna Orner. Courting for a year, Dean and Donna were married on August 13, 1955 at Trinity Lutheran of Minnehaha Falls, in Minneapolis. They soon welcomed three sons into their family, Michael, Phillip and Gregory, which were all born 1 year and three months apart. As a family they traveled the country by car, stopping each night to pitch a tent. They also enjoyed many days fishing and enjoying each other’s company.
As a couple, Dean and Donna spent weekends snowmobiling in Wisconsin and out west, with family and great friends. They also had the opportunity to take trips of a life time finding distant relatives in Norway, touring Sweden, Finland and Denmark. After Dean retired, they spent winters in Sun City, AZ, where Dean and Donna built many fond friendship, especially with those friends that would gather in the driveway to socialize each afternoon. Summers were spent in Minnesota, enjoying being around their sons and families, playing cards and dominos and enjoyed life on the lake.
A man proud of his Swedish and German heritage, Dean was also proud being an active member of the Gideons, distributing Bibles and Scripture to others. A love for numbers, he volunteered preparing tax returns for AARP. Dean lived his life centered on his family, working hard providing for them. He always had a smile on his face, genuinely interested in others’ lives and had this strong and committed hand shake.
Left to honor Dean’s life and mourn the death is his wife of 59 years, Donna; sons, Michael (Sue) Koch, Phillip (Cheryl Rollins) Koch, Gregory (Sue) Koch; grandchildren, Jesse Koch, Angella Mesenbrink, Jeremy (Clare) Johnson, Jenny (Donnie) Altenburg, Julie (Scott) Campbell, Ashley Rollins; great-grandchildren, Nash Altenburg, Avealean Altenburg; sister-in-law, Beverly Koch; other loving relatives and devoted friends
Preceded in death and there to welcome Dean home in heaven are his parents, Elton and Edith and brother, Paul.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served the Koch family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
