Bernard M Koch
May 24, 1945 - November 05, 2019
Obituary
HOLLANDALE - Bernard Melchior "Bernie" Koch, age 74, of Hollandale, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. He was born on May 24, 1945, in Madison, Wis., the son of John and Loretta (Schroeder) Koch.
Bernie graduated from Middleton High School in 1964. He married Marlene Tollefson on Oct. 22, 1982, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cross Plains.
Bernie was a hard worker who enjoyed his farm, cattle and horses, and he was truly a cowboy at heart. He loved taking motorcycle rides on his Honda Goldwing and was an amazing storyteller. He never met a stranger who he couldn’t turn into a friend, and he could bring a smile to anyone's face with his unique and outgoing laugh. He was a very spiritual person and family was very important to him. He always loved being with his "Little Norwegian" wife, as he always said it builds character to live with a Norwegian.
He was a proud member of Friends of Bill W. for the last 41 years.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marlene Koch; daughter, Debbie (Tom) Brondum; brother, Robert (Peg) Koch; sister, Rose (Roger) Swingen; grandchild, Hailey (Jacob "Floyd" Urban) Brondum; brother-in-law, Gary Niesen; and sister-in-law, Eileen Koch. He is also survived by many cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margaret Niesen and brother, Franklin Koch.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ISIDORE PARISH, 601 Grover Street, Hollandale, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, with Father Paul Eurva, Father Tom Gillespie and Msgr. Gerard Healy presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON CAMACHO MOUNT HOREB FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 500 N. Eighth Street, Mount Horeb, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family of Bernie's to be used for Mass intentions plus charities, which will be designated at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth Street
(608) 437-5077
Events
Visitation
Sun Nov 10, 2019 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Camacho Mt. Horeb Funeral & Cremation Care • 500 N. 8th Street, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572
Visitation
Mon Nov 11, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Patrick's Catholic Church of St. Isidore Parish • 601 Grover St., Hollandale, WI 53544
Mass of Christian Burial
Mon Nov 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Patrick's Catholic Church of St. Isidore Parish • 601 Grover St., Hollandale, WI 53544
Photos
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Memories
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Phyllis (Noltner) Yngsdal
Other •
Bob, Peg & Family:
Sending my sympathy on the passing of Bernie.
Phyllis (Noltner) Yngsdal
MHS class of "64
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Deb VanDerLeest
Other •
One top notch cattleman, and I was fortunate to be able to call him my friend. Our deepest sympathies to his wife and family. Roger and Deb VanDerLeest.
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Zander Douglas
Other •
My condolences to the family first. Second I cannot put into words the impact and guidence Bernie put into my life. He was a strong man that had a loving and tolerant personality. Such a huge loss and will be remembered by me always, I am very sad but somehow take comfort in knowing that Bernie helped and affected so many lives of others and I am one of those people. You will be greatly missed!! Your friend always in this life and the next... Douglas L Zander
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Bob Lind
Other •
I met Bernie some 25 years ago and immediately we became friends. Bernie was a great man, Bernie was a tall man, Bernie was a strong man, Bernie was a gentlemen, Bernie is a man I’ll never forget. We shared stories together and we laughed, we laughed hard and we laughed a lot. I’ll miss those great Super Bowl gatherings at his Ranch a top that big hill.
One day, Bernie and I were riding along in his truck and stopped along the road to look at some horses. He said to me “keep an eye on that Mare over there”. I didn’t tell him horses look all the same to me. What I realized, Bernie really knew how to Cowboy.
Rest in Peace my friend, our time together isn’t over, we’ll get together again on the other side.
Thanks for being my friend.
Bob Lind
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William and Julianne Hogan
Other •
Our deepest sympathy to Marlene and the rest of Bernie's family. Bernie will be missed by many. He was a good friend and we enjoyed the time we spent with him.
William and Julianne Hogan
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Ingrid Krause
Other •
Marlene and family. I am so very sorry to hear about Bernie's.passing. I will always remember the great times we had together driving our horses. Giving rides together in the neighborhood, just plain chewing " the fat " together. What a great man he was... I have miss those times since you left our neighborhood. He can hang out with Carlo in heaven now. Love, Ingrid