Koch, Peter H. 1867-1948

KOCH, KAHL, KLUVER

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/22/2012 at 18:50:24

Rites Monday for Peter H. Koch. Well Known Citizen Here 65 Years Dies at Home Saturday, July 17.
After but a few days of sickness thought to have been induced by general infirmities, Peter H. Koch, 81, prominent resident here for many years, passed away at his home in Remsen Saturday afternoon, July 17. Surviving are a son and a daughter, both of Remsen. Funeral services were held Monday.
Mr. Koch’s age began to tell several weeks ago, family members noticed a general decline although he was able to be up and about as customary. On the Sunday previous to his death he suffered a sick period but rallied. The end came unexpectedly Saturday afternoon at three o’clock.
Born March 13, 1867, in the village of Gehl, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, he was the only child of Ernest and Maria Koch and with his parents came to the United States at the age of eight years in 1875. They settled on a farm near Keystone, Iowa, and in 1883 the family came to Remsen. They settled on a farm southeast of town where the parents spent the remainder of their lives.
In 1891 Mr. Koch married Meta Kahl, member of another family of early day settlers here, and the couple continued to farm, occupying the old home place. Mr. and Mrs. Koch labored faithfully to build up their farmstead and in 1915 began to reap the fruits of their diligence in retirement, coming to Remsen. Mrs. Koch passed away here in the spring of 1944. Since then Miss Charlotte Koch, a granddaughter, kept house for Mr. Koch and lovingly ministered to him during his declining years.
Peter Koch in his younger days was an energetic and substantial farmer; a devoted husband and father, a helpful neighbor, loyal to a wide circle of old friends who held him and his family in highest esteem.
Survivors include two of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Koch. They are Earnest and Mrs. Dick (Annie) Kluver, both of this community. Two sons preceded the parents in death.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon with a large attendance of friends from here and a distance who came to express their condolences and to honor the memory of a grand old man and a splendid citizen. The services in the home and later in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran church were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Paul Wuebben.
Pall bearers were six grandsons of the deceased man – Marvin and Herman Kluver, Melvi n Koch, Hugh Moser, Reuben Stabe and Harold Letsche. Interment was made in the Remsen cemetery. – Remsen Bell-Enterprise, July 22, 1948