Joseph C. Koch, 88, of Baileyville, died on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Life Care Center of Seneca.

Joe was born on February 20, 1934 to Clem and Clementine Fangman Koch. Joe attended school at Baileyville, graduating in 1950. After he graduated, he helped his father farm and he did tinkering for Paul Koch, until he enlisted in to the U.S. Army on August 9, 1955. Joe was discharged on May 24, 1957 from Connell Airforce Base in Texas. He earned the rank of SP3 (T) and was assigned to Btry B 546th AAA BN for his 1 year, 9 months, 16 days of service. After he was discharged, he went back to farming with his father on the family farm. Joe went to work for the Nemaha County Road and Bridge Department until 1959.

On April 11, 1959 Joe married Mary Mueting at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. In 1960, Joe bought a dairy herd and started milking cows, and he milked until 2004, when his heart and body would no longer let him.

Joe loved his grandchildren and seldom missed on of their events; he e=enjoyed sports and going to the coffee shop and catching up on the latest news.

Joe was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

Joe was preceded in death by his son, Edward on July 2, 1971; his parents, Clem and Clementine; brothers, Regis, Mark and Rock Koch; and his sisters, Eileen Rusche, Theresa Spiker, Mary Olberding, Angela Roeder, Rita Haug and Evelyn Rothenbergers.

Joe is survived by his wife of 63 year, Mary; sons, Clem (Rosemary) Koch of Baileyville and Damian Koch of Baileyville; three grandchildren, Jeffery Koch, Jordon Koch and Hanna Copeland; four great grandchildren, Jaelynn, Jaxson, Jassa and Trenton; and one great-grandchild on the way

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Friday, September 30, 2022 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 AM Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The burial will be in the church cemetery.  

Memorials for Joe will be designated at a later date, and sent in care of the family.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .