Harold Koch

Clarence Harold Koch, 90, of Elba, died Sunday, June 12, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Elba Cemetery in Elba. Bishop Jon Rosenlund will officiate. Military honors will be provided by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul and the U.S. Army Funeral Honors Team.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Harold was born on Nov. 25, 1931, at Hillside, CO, to Charles Albertis and Ruth Ada (Poet) Koch, in the middle of a blizzard. He was delivered by his father because the Doctor was unable to get there.

He graduated from Salida High School in 1950.  He then served in the United States Army from Aug. 1952 to Aug. 1954, during the Korean Conflict.

He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Burk. To this union, two daughters were born, Cathy and Ann. In 1960, he graduated from Pueblo College in Pueblo, CO, with a degree in diesel mechanics. He then began working as a diesel mechanic at Cummins in Denver. In 1966, Mary Ann passed away. He enjoyed water skiing and camping with Cathy and Ann.

In 1976, he was united in marriage to Linda Kay (Foley) Stephens and gained a son and daughter, Patrick and Missy. In 1979, the family moved to Craig, CO. After retiring from Cummins, he became a rural mail carrier, a job he held until 1998. In 1991, Harold and Linda completed their family with the adoption of their daughter, Sarah.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda Koch of Elba; his children, Cathy (David) Landes of Berthoud, CO, Ann (Jerry) Blair of Brighton, CO, Missy Garcia of Denver, CO, Patrick Stephens of Denver, CO and Sarah Koch of Elba; and his honorary daughter, Chris Fahrenbruch of McCook; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jenny Koch of Pueblo, CO, Chuck (Barbara) Burk and Claud (Linda) Burk, all of Kiln, Mississippi, Joe (Koko) Foley of Northglenn, CO, Mike Foley of Denver, Judi Schneider of Denver, CO, Sandie Gregg of Bennett, CO, Nancy (Wayne) Harvey of Northglenn, CO, Terri Allen of Thornton, CO, Gail (Wayne) Palone of Bennett, CO; three dogs, Daisy Mae, Dolly and Buddy; and many friends.

In addition to his first wife, Mary Ann; he was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, P.J. Garcia; and siblings, Les, Alberta, Ronald and Kathleen.