Kocher, Ronald Franklin -- 1933 - 2011
KOCHER, THOMPSON, ESPERSEN
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 6/3/2012 at 18:52:17
Decorah Public Opinion Mar. 8, 2011
Ronald Franklin Kocher, age 77, of Hastings, Minn., formerly of Decorah, surrounded by family and church, passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the Red Wing Health Center after a long illness.
Ronald was born to Charles Wesley and Constance Alice (Thompson) Kocher Aug. 31, 1933 in La Porte City, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1951 from La Porte City High School. Ronald's work career included banking in the Iowa communities of Decorah, Riceville, Cresco, Radcliff and Fayette, and in Hagar City, Wis. While living in Maiden Rock, he was an EMT, volunteer fireman, and a Pierce County deputy sheriff. He was a very active in the Methodist Church. He was involved in the lay ministry and church planning committees. Ronald enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, reading and counted cross-stitch. On March 5, 1954 Ronald married Joanna M. Blaker at Chapel No. 2, at Fort Chaffee, Ark. Afterward, Ron and Jo settled in Fayette, where Ron attended College. Jo and Ron were blessed with four children.
Survivors are a daughter, Deanna (Keith) Espersen, Farmington, Minn.; sons: Daniel (Denise) Kocher of Hastings. Minn., and Kent (Teresa) Kocher, Bloomington, Minn.; a brother, Ralph Kocher of Waterloo; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death were his wife, Joanna (b.1935 d.2009), his son, Garth Eugene Kocher (b.1956 d.1970), his parents, his brother Richard, a sister Jean Anne, as well as many other loved ones.
Funeral services were Monday, March 7, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Hastings United Methodist Church. Interment is today (Tuesday) at noon at Grandview Cemetery, Fayette. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral and Cremation Services of Maiden Rock, Wis.
Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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