Joseph Kocher

Joseph Kocher, age 91, of Sauk Centre died suddenly of natural causes on Friday, February 11, 2005 at the St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery, Sauk Centre.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5:15 p.m. followed by Aerie #3847 Fraternal Order of Eagles at 7 p.m. and Bishop Joseph F. Busch Council #4863 Knight of Columbus at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Joseph Kocher was born on January 11, 1914 in Onaka, South Dakota to John and Julia (Gesi) Kocher. He married Florence C. Marthaler on January 15, 1935 at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove. They lived in Hague, ND for a short time moving to Minneapolis in May of 1936. In 1937 he became a pipe fitter and has been a member of the Pipe Fitters Union 539 for 68 years. Joe retired in 1976 after being foreman at the U of M for 25 years. They moved to Fairy Lake near Sauk Centre where they enjoyed fishing, dancing and playing cards. Over the years they have traveled extensively, visiting 46 states and numerous countries. For the past 3 years they have lived in Sauk Centre. Joseph was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Bishop Joseph F. Busch Council #4863 Knights of Columbus, Pipe Fitters Union #539 and the Sinclair Lewis Aerie #3847 Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Florence Kocher of Sauk Centre; son, Ronald Kocher (Joyce) of Minnetrista, MN; brothers and sisters, John Kocher (Mary) of Bismarck, ND, Peter Kocher (Rosemary) of Hague, ND, Leo Kocher (Donna) of Richland, WA, Agnes Hatzenbeller and Eleanor Huber (Mike) both of Milwaukee, WI; and 2 grandsons, John and Jeremiah Kocher.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia Kocher; son, Duane Kocher; and sisters, Magdalena Fischer, Johanna Dewalt and Rose Hilt.

Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Catholic Church, Sauk Centre.

Casket bearers will be Don Ripka, Roger Kocher, Clyde Uphus, Russ Waterman, Allan Bromehshenkel, and Donald Marthaler. Cross bearer will be Virgil Marthaler and scripture bearer will be Melvin Marthaler.