Gale L. Koch

Cottage Grove, Wis. - Our loving mother, Gale L. Koch (Heimbruch) died peacefully on December 5, 2025, at the age of 77.

Gale was born in New London, Wis., on September 27, 1948, the daughter of Richard and Ruth Heimbruch. Gale was the oldest of two and grew up in many different states as her father was in the United States Navy. Mom used to say she would just make friends, and it was time to move again. When Gale’s father retired from the Navy they settled down in Madison, Wis., and Gale went to and graduated from East Madison High School. She met her best friend, Rose, during high school and the two of them met their future husbands together, as James and Tom were best friends. Gale and James met while he was working at the hamburger joint down the street from where she lived off of East Washington Avenue in Madison, Wis.

She married James, the love of her life, on January 20, 1968, at St. Dennis Church on the East side of Madison. They were married 56 years when James passed away in 2024. They had two daughters, Shanda and Brenda, and lived in a home on the West side of Madison until the girls graduated. They eventually moved to Cottage Grove, Wis., in a home they both called their little piece of heaven.

Gale loved to travel, crochet, her western shows and movies, and spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Gale and Jim went every year on a vacation for one to two weeks with their close friends, Tony and Jay. But they also made sure we went on a family vacation in the winter to Florida and a summer vacation to Rhinelander.

Gale is survived by her children, Shanda Miller and Brenda (Jason) Shaver; her grandchildren. Austyn Yerges, Dustyn (Kearstyn) Yerges, Jacob (Sami) Kennedy and Abigale Kennedy; her three great-grandchildren, Everly, Dakota and Colton; sisters-in-law, Janet Koch, Janet Heimbruch, Kay Schneider, Patty Brown and Ramona Ampe; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Gale is preceded in death by her husband, James Koch; her mother and father; brother, Rick; her brothers-in-law, Richard Koch, Roger Brown, Donald Larson, Jerry Schneider and Gary Ampe; and sister-in-law, Darlene.   

Gale will be missed by family and friends but remembered for being a loving, caring, funny, and generous woman who brought joy to all of our lives.

A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420