Koch, Lowell A. Rev. 1925-2004

KOCH, MILBRODT, WALLACE

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/6/2024 at 11:39:19

John E. & Louisa Milbrodt Koch

Veteran of Korean War

Rev. Lowell A. Koch, 79, of Waverly, IA died Saturday, November 20, 2004 at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly.

Funeral services were Tuesday, November 23 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly with Pastor Curt Schneider, Pastor Keith Tomlinson and Pastor Barrel W. Gerrietts officiating. Burial was in Harlington Cemetery in Waverly, with military rites provided by American Legion Post 176 of Waverly.

Pallbearers were Lowell's children and grandchildren.

Lowell was born on January 10, 1925, the son of John E. and Louisa (Milbrodt) Koch in Akron. He was baptized on March 29, 1925 and confirmed on September 28, 1928, both at St. John's Lutheran Church, Preston Township.

He graduated from Akron High School in June of 1942, Wartburg College in 1945 and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque in 1947. Lowell was ordained on June 22, 1947 in Akron. The following day he was united hi marriage to Marilyn Wallace at St. John's Lutheran Church. His first assignments were in Sibley and Grundy Center.

In 1950, he entered the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain and served during the Korean Conflict at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, AZ; Anderson Air Base in Guam; and Grenier Air Base, NH. Following his discharge, he remained in the active reserves for 20 years.

Lowell then served as pastor in several Iowa parishes: Good Shepherd Lutheran in Waterloo, Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, St. James Lutheran in Allison and Trinity Lutheran in Cherokee. He retired and the couple moved to Waverly in 1987.

During retirement, Lowell served many churches in the area as pulpit supply and interim pastor. Lowell moved to Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in March of 2004. He loved to fish, hunt, play baseball and watch football games.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; seven children, Stephen (Becky) Koch of Winterset, IA, Tim (Susan) Koch of Columbia, SC, David (Sandy) Koch of Exira, IA, Laurel Nugent of Forest City, IA, Paul (Candace) Koch of Lawrence, KS, Beth Koch of Cedar Falls, LA, and Becky (Kent) Lewis of Aurelia, IA; 22 grandchildren; two sisters, Lorena Gabel and Minnie (Elmer) Borchers, both of Akron; and one brother, Henry (Lee) Koch of Virginia Beach, VA.

He was preceded in death by one grandchild; three sisters; and three brothers.

[Source: The Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, December 2, 2004; Volume 117, Number 49, Page 5]