Marvin & Gretchen Koch

Gretchen Lois Koch (Korn) was born March 13th, 1932 in Burlington, Wisconsin to Theodore and Edna (Potratz) Korn. She was baptized as a child of God and confirmed her Christian faith at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burlington. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1950 and went on to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to study music education. Marvin Harold Koch was born July 1st, 1932 in Town of Lake (Milwaukee), Wisconsin to Frederick and Lillian (Vogt) Koch. He was baptized as a child of God at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church and confirmed his Christian faith at Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, both in Milwaukee. He graduated from Bay View High School, Milwaukee in 1950 and went on to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to study music education. Gretchen and Marvin met while at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where they both obtained their Bachelors in Music Education. Marvin then served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. The two joined in Holy Matrimony on June 30th, 1956 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. From this union, they were blessed with three sons: Martin Paul, Marcus Fredric and David Theodore. Music embodied their professional and personal lives and both became expert music educators and performers. This led them both to advanced degrees, with Marvin earning a Masters and PhD and Gretchen a Masters, all from Northwestern University. Marvin taught instrumental band and choir at Racine Lutheran and Lakeside Lutheran High Schools in Wisconsin, Concordia College and Naperville Public Schools in Illinois. He also directed the Chicago Area Lutheran Festival Chorus and the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band in Illinois. Gretchen was a piano instructor at Northwestern University and at Evanston High School. She also served many years as church organist and accompanist. They spent the entirety of their lives focused on their Christian faith, their family and their music. Additionally, they had the opportunity to travel extensively. They were married 64.5 years when Gretchen entered eternal glory on Thursday, December 31st, 2020 immediately followed by Marvin, who joined her on Friday, January 1st, 2021. They are preceded in death by: their parents, their son Marty, Marvin’s sisters Carol Davidson and Dorothy Kraklow, and Gretchen’s brother Robert Korn, and sister Arlene Hoganson. They are survived by: their daughter-in-law Barbara Koch, sons Marcus (Denise) Koch and David (Elizabeth) Koch; 9 grandchildren, Amanda Koch, Jonathan Koch, Marek Koch, Travis Gilbert (Bree), Kayleigh Cordes (Joel), Jeremiah Koch (Mallory), Austin Koch (Nicole), Quinna Killberg (Colin) and Abigayle Koch; 9 great grandchildren, Bronson, Landon, Lorelei, Dane, Evan, Anderson, Brooklyn, Ryan and Grayson; Marvin’s brother James Koch and sisters Jane Krueger and Ellen Kuschel. A Celebration of Eternal Life will be held Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at St. Paul’s Evengelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Rd. in Stevensville, Michigan with visitation at 10am, service at 11am, and burial to follow. Memorial donations may be made to: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stevensville, Michigan or WELS Lutherans for Life in West Allis, Wisconsin. Those wishing to sign the Koch’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Zusammen für immer mit Gott!