Nancy Lou Koch, age 80, of Hayward, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Tamarack Health in Hayward. She was born on February 27, 1945 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Ervin and Hildagarde (Bert) Thoms Sr. She met the love of her life, Daniel Joseph Koch Sr., on Ground Hogs Day, February 2, 1963. The two were married later that year on July 13, 1963 in Butternut, WI.

Nancy was a graduate of Glidden High School. She loved gardening and tending to all the plants and beds she created around her home. Nancy was a dedicated wife and mother, packing lunches for her husband and making breakfast for her children every morning and gathering her family for prayer before every evening dinner. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the summer of 1971. She loved going through pictures and creating lovely albums for her kids and grandkids. Nancy enjoyed baking, especially baking sugar cookies with her grandchildren. Family was most important to Nancy and family always came first.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Daniel Joseph Koch Sr.; her children, Daniel Joseph (Barbara) Koch Jr., Brenda Lee (Don) Miller, Thomas Harold Koch, Lynda Jean (Tom) Collins, Cindy Lou Koch, Joann Lynn Mell-Koch, Jeffrey Allan (Lucellys Padilla-Koch) Koch, Sherry Gorski-Koch, Susan (Steve) Haynes, Sarah (Darren) Lawver and Scott Allan (Amanda) Koch; her grandchildren, Kimberly, Kevin (Stephanie), Danielle (Victor), Joshua, Tyler, Cassandra, Donnie (Jon), Brendon (Krissy), Nathan (Kristy), Amanda, Desiree (Josh), Lakota (Richard), Weylin, Danielle, Megan, Courtney, Jader, Luisa (Zane) Emily, Daniel, Tawyna (Steve), Rose, Benjamin, Eddie, Nancy, Michala, Chesna, Marisa, McKenzie, Jazon, Jaiden, Mercedes, Elana, Bethany, and Damien; her great-grandchildren, Colin, Makenin, Brealyn, Madaelyn, Jaxson, Gabriella, Sammy, Lucas, Lilly, Wesley, Colin, Haylie, Delilan, Johnny, Jimmy, Spencer, Ryan, Kole, Dylan, Lyla, Freya, Alice, Levi, and Darya; her siblings, Ervin Thoms Jr., Gary (Debbie) Thoms, Carol Walker, and Karen Godlewski; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Nancy is preceded in death by her brother, Lowell Thoms.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Last Update: Apr 30, 2025 1:23 pm CDT