Dorothy M. Koch

Dorothy M. Koch, 70, of Newcastle passed away Friday, September 2, 2022 at her home surrounded by family.  Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at the Congregational Church in Newcastle.  Visitation will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. all held at the church.  

Dorothy was born the daughter of Lloyd and Doris (Frahm) Patten on December 16, 1951 in Sioux City, Iowa.  She was raised in Sergeant Bluff where she received her education.  Dorothy married George Koch on August 16, 1969 in Newcastle, Nebraska.  They made their home there and just celebrated 53 years together.  Dorothy worked at IBP for 16 years and cleaned houses for 32 years.

Although she was raised a city girl, she adapted and fell in love with the small-town farm life.  Dorothy had a love for life, her bubbly personality and contagious laugh were her signature.  She never met a stranger.  She loved talking on the phone with her friends, perhaps a bit of gossiping, crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren.  Christmas was her favorite holiday which will hold special memories of her for her family and grandkids.

She was a member of the Congregational Church in Newcastle, where she also taught Sunday school.  In her younger years, she actively supported her daughters as a softball coach, Brownie & 4-H leader.  She loved her small-town community of Newcastle, and she was an active member of the Newcastle Saddle Club, the Newcastle Community Club as well as other community activities.  The Newcastle Labor Day Celebration was one of her favorite events to participate in.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, George Koch of Newcastle, Nebraska; daughters, Lynn (Kevin) Kamrath of Newcastle, Nebraska and Karen (Jason) Carmichael of Flower Mound, Texas; grandchildren, Kalyn, Piper, Mackenzie, and Braxton; brother, Dale (Nancy) Patten of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; sister, Charlotte Patten of Sioux City, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Mary Sue LeClair of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Alice Harris of Columbia, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Carol Gilbert; and mother and father-in-law, Martin and Marie Koch.