Koch, Rev. Paul Michael (1935 - 2021)

KOCH, LAMPE, BELL, SCHULTE, FELDMAN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 12/1/2021 at 17:16:59

Name of deceased: Paul Michael Koch

Aged: 86 yrs, 8 mo, 9 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: March 14, 1935; Panama, Shelby County, IA

Died: Nov. 23, 2021; University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Douglas County, NE

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021; St. Mary's of the Assumption, Panama, IA; burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Panama, IA

Survived by: Siblings, Walter (spouse, Elaine) Koch of Bentley, IA, and Mary Agnes (spouse, LeRoy) Lampe of Omaha, NE; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Koch of West Des Moines, IA and Mary Koch Bell of Clark, SD; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Leo and Pauline (nee Schulte) Koch; siblings, Natalia Koch, Linus Koch, Louis Koch, Madonna Feldman, Charles Koch, Rev. Eugene Koch, and Richard Koch

Education: Attended grade and high school at St. Mary’s School, Panama, IA. He entered the seminary at Loras College and graduated in 1957; he then entered St. Bernard’s Major Seminary in Dubuque, IA and was ordained a priest on May 28, 1961

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Panama, IA

Military service: n/a

Marriage: n/a

Employment: Fr. Paul taught at Dowling High, West Des Moines, IA, for 2 years before joining the missions in South America in 1963. He was sent to Peru and then on to Bolivia, serving St. Pius the 10th in Oruro for 5 years. He became a worker priest in Santa Cruz for 3 years. Fr. Paul was appointed to the parish of Cabezas in Santa Cruz and next went to La Guardia in Santa Cruz until the mission was closed in 2009.

At the age of 75, Fr. Paul returned to the United States to retire but was asked to help the Hispanic Community in Council Bluffs, IA. He began a Hispanic ministry for 5 years. Health issues forced him to leave the ministry when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2018. After a year spent recovering at his sister’s home in Omaha, he returned to Council Bluffs and helped with many parishes when needed. He later moved to Harlan, IA, where he helped with masses as needed. He also celebrated Sunday mass in Mondamin, IA.

Hobbies/Interests: no information provided

Sources: kjan.com; knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com