Obit: Koch, Dr. James William (1925 - 2009) 

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Edblom, Gilbert, Hudell, Kaiser, Koch, Meyers, Palmerton, Thomsen, Wagner, Wilhelm 
 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), Wednesday, September 24, 2009, Online Edition 
 

Koch, Dr. James William (March 8, 1925 - September 21, 2009) 
 

James William Koch, M.D., age 84 years, of Holcombe, formerly of Colby, died Monday, September 21, 2009, surrounded by his loving family at the Cornell Area Care Center in Cornell.

 
James was born March 8, 1925, in Butternut, the son of Charles and Clara (Hudell) Koch.  
 

He attended the University of Wisconsin –Madison and became a medical doctor in 1944. Dr. Koch married the former Martha Wilhelm on April 22, 1948, in Illinois. Sadly, Martha passed away March 2, 2006.  
 

After receiving his degree in medicine Dr. Koch practiced medicine in Owen and worked at the Stanley Clinic and later began practicing in the Colby Clinic in 1951 and transitioned to the Marshfield Clinic during the last couple of years before retirement. Dr. Koch had delivered over 3000 babies during his career as a physician. His work week was often 24/7 and house calls as he recalled were a common occurrence. Dr. Koch retired in 1988 after working 37 years as a general practitioner.

 
Dr. Koch was a member of the Colby United Church of Christ, the Methodist Church in Holcombe, and a 30+ year member of the Lions’ Club and a 20+ year board member of the Colby School District. Dr. Koch was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting deer, turkey and pheasant and fishing. He loved his golf league, downhill and water skiing, and gardening. His family loved his cooking whether it was something pickled, his sauerkraut, baking a delicious apple pie or cooking on the grill and eating his tasty boiled dinners or British Columbia pancakes. Dr. Koch was passionate about spending time with people especially his grandchildren and he made sure that those around him had the opportunity to enjoy themselves at social gatherings.

 
Dr. Koch is lovingly survived by his children, David (Sharon) Koch, Patricia Edblom and Sara (Mitchell) Kaiser. He is further survived by grandchildren, Bobbi (Rick) Wagner, Andrea Koch, Scott (Erin) Koch, Shannon Palmerton, Sara (Aaron) Meyers, Justin (Tracy) Edblom, Jessica (Chad) Thomsen, Hanna and Mitchell Kaiser; his great-grandchildren, Taylor and Shelby Wagner, Austin and Chandler Koch, Kaylie and Addyson Koch, Ashley and Madisen Palmerton, Trenton and Abbey Meyers, Tyler and Bryanna Edblom and Savana Thomsen; a brother, Burton Koch; and many other relatives and friends.

 
Dr. Koch was preceded in death by his wife, Martha; three sisters, Nelda, Mildred and Ruth; and two brothers, Carl and Robert.

 
His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Colby United Church of Christ in Colby. The Rev. Marlea Gilbert will preside. Burial will follow in Colby Memorial Cemetery. Dr. Koch’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the church in Colby from 9 a.m. until time of services.  
 

Acting as his pallbearers will be his son Dave Koch, and grandsons, Mitchell Kaiser, Justin Edblom, and Scott Koch.

 
If desired, memorials to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for Medical Scholarships are being accepted by Dr. Koch’s family.

 
The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Abbotsford is assisting Dr. Koch’s family with arrangements.

 
Online condolences can be offered at http://www.maurinaschilling.com/