Geraldine Koch
July 24, 1929 ~ October 23, 2007
Geraldine Koch, 78, of Gettysburg, SD went to be with God and her angels, Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at St. Mary’s Hospice in Pierre, SD.
Funeral Services were held at 10:30a.m., Monday, October 29, 2007 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, SD with Rev. Mark Moldenhauer and Rev. Levi Willms officiating. Burial was in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service was held at 7:00p.m. Sunday, October 28 at the Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg with visitations starting at 3:00p.m. going until the conclusion of the prayer service.
Geraldine was born July 24, 1929 in Fairbault, Minnesota to Benjamin and Effie Hildebrandt. She was later adopted by Elmer and Helen (Crawford) Ragatz.
On August 21, 1946 she married Carroll Koch in Baker, MT. They farmed in Hyde Co. & in 1948 they made their home in the Spring Community area where they farmed and raised their three children Jim, Darcy & Debra. In 1975 they sold the farm and moved into Gettysburg.
Gerry worked for the Oahe Manor for nearly 15 years as a nurse’s aide, med aide and was the first social worker designee and then continued working in home health. She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Lutheran Ladies Aide and the VFW Auxiliary. During her free time she enjoyed reading, painting, gardening, doing crafts and spending time with family and friends.
Gerry moved to Pierre in 2006 as a long time dream and to be near her daughter and grandchildren.
Blessed to have shared her life are her Son, Jim Koch & Linda Schnider of Jamestown, ND; Daughters: Darcy Johns of Pierre, SD and Debra Koch of Gettysburg, SD; Granddaughter Shari Jaragoske and Great Grandson Ty King of Pierre, SD. Granddaughter, Angela Jaragoske of Rapid City, SD; sisters-in-law: Marion Johnson of Gettysburg, Irene Mayer of Pierre, SD, Pauline Dean of Moorehead, MN, Martha Weischedel of Brooking, SD and Emma (Dan) Schramm of Littleton, CO; and one brother-in-law: Dick (Geri) Koch of Camano Island, WA and many more loving relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four siblings and an infant grandson.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Ty and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers especially during this time. May the strength of your friends and family, and the precious memories you have of your time with Grandma help you through this time. God loves you and so do we!
Debi, David, and Bob
Jim, Darcy, Deb and families – We are thinking of you and sending love and hugs your way. Your parents were such special friends to ours – we included a picture of Geraldine and Carroll in their anniversary video that we gave them as a gift. They will be missed. We all have many memories of your family on the farm, the ‘party line’ phone, the little dogs, your Dad’s huge smile and your mother’s hearty laugh! We know they are in a very special place together now. Love and prayers, Kay
My memories of going to grade school with Jim and Darcy while neighbors 1958 – 1961. Hang in there all of you. Wanted to say HI and sorry to hear about your loss.