Joan Koch

WAUNAKEE-Joan Mary Koch, 87, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2021 at Sienna Meadows Memory Care in DeForest after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born to Frank and Molly (Kurt) Karls of Lodi, Wisconsin, on May 3, 1934. Joan married Jerome (Jerry) Koch on April 21, 1956. Joan graduated Lodi High School in 1952. Joan and Jerry lived in Waunakee for 63 years where she was a lifelong member of St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church.

Joan played the piano, accordion, and slot machines. She enjoyed visits from grandchildren, sewing, ceramics, and making crafts with Jerry. Joan loved to travel, Disney World being her favorite. She loved a good time with friends including annual trips to a north woods lakeside resort.

Joan is survived by her husband of 65 years, Jerry; children Karen (Al) Ziegler, Kathy (Joe) Legris, Ron (Diane) Koch, and Jay (Erica) Koch; grandchildren Brenda Paulos, Scott Ziegler, Lisa Ziegler, Travis Legris, Daniel Koch, Raina Koch, and Sara Koch; great grandchildren Zoey and Levi Ziegler, and Aubrielle Legris; and in-laws Wendelin Maier and Geraldine Laufenberg.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters-in-law Bob and Mary Karls, and Bill and Diane Karls and, mother-in-law and father-in-law Mel and Mary Koch, and many in-laws in the Koch family.

The family extends special thanks to Pam Murphy of Visiting Angels, Colleen Hecker and the entire staff at Sienna Meadows Memory Care, and Jessica Wienand and the team from Heartland Hospice for the excellent care and attention they provided Joan through her illness. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 2 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee, with Msgr. James Gunn officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 with Mass to follow. In lieu of flowers the family will be making memorial donations to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, and Heartland Hospice Care.

God’ Garden

God looked around his garden

And found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the earth,

And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful,

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,

He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never

Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb.

So He closed your weary eyelids

And whispered, “Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone…

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

D.W. McConway

Winn-Cress Funeral and Cremation Service

5785 Highway Q

Waunakee, WI 53597

(608)849-4513