Paul W. Koch

Paul W. Koch, age 85, lifetime resident of Two Rivers, died at home Friday evening, December 2, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul was born in Two Rivers on January 2, 1937 to Edgar C. and Julitta M. (Schwake) Koch, the second-oldest of five children. He attended St. Luke's Grade School and graduated from Washington High School with the class of 1955, and was an avid basketball and football player during that time. He then furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for three semesters before entering the U.S. Army, where he served his country from 1957 to 1959. Upon his honorable discharge in 1959, he returned to the University of Wisconsin College of Pharmacy, eventually earning his pharmacist degree. Paul worked for several area pharmacies over the years, and always said his favorite thing about his job was his customers, who he greatly enjoyed helping and treated like family.

He met the love of his life, Judith A. Horneck, at the University of Madison in a Bacteriology class, and asked her out for coffee. She accepted, (obviously) and they were united in marriage on January 23, 1961 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Two Rivers. The couple was blessed with three children, and enjoyed over sixty-one years of marriage. The family enjoyed spending time at their cottage on Clark's Lake in Door County for many years. Paul enjoyed any outdoor project on his properties, whether it was creating spectacular brush fires, fighting the Battle of the Tree Stump, or wading through the Eternal Battle of Shoreline Debris, rake in hand. He also enjoyed outsourcing projects to (un)willing children and grandchildren, and as an example, paid a competitive rate of one penny per pinecone. Paul was also a skilled card player (at times a suspected card shark), and was more often than not the winner, but he was a gracious loser and always paid his debts, whether in quarters or dishes. Paul's favorite thing in the world was spending time with his family, whether it was hunting and fishing, playing cards, spending time with his Judy, listening to music and teaching his children to dance, or simply sitting around the kitchen having a brandy and coke and telling stories during cocktail hour. Paul had an enormous heart, and had an open lap policy for all grandchildren and grandpuppies.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; three children, Christine (Drew) Smith of Rochester, MN, Steve (Lisa) Koch of Two Rivers, and Jessica (Brian) Werner of Menomonee Falls; three grandchildren: Gavin and Carson Koch, and Mox Werner. He is further survived by one brother, Earl (Diane) Koch of Madison; two sisters, Ann Dauer of Tucson, AZ and Enid (Steven) Hochman of Ridgewood, N.J.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Julitta Koch; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Melvin and Dorothy Horneck; one brother, Edgar Koch; and a brother-in-law, Don Dauer.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2022 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers. Officiating at the memorial mass will be Rev. Dave Pleier, assisted by Deacon Paul Gleichner. Military honors will immediately follow at the church by members of the American Legion Post #165 and VFW Post #1248 of Two Rivers.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church Friday morning from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. There will be no Thursday evening visitation.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Koch family with funeral arrangements.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire medical staff at Aurora BayCare Medical Center and the caregivers of Aurora @ Home Hospice for the wonderful care provided.