Joan Mae Koch

Joan Mae Koch, 88 of Normal passed away at 10 PM Sunday July 2, 2023, at Heritage Health in El Paso. Joan was born May 18, 1935, on her grandfather's farm, in rural Echo, MN, to parents Henry J. and Esther M. (Kvistero) Iverson. She graduated in 1957 from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, then taught junior high English and Physical Education in Echo, MN. She married Lt. James A. Koch on June 7, 1958, and settled in Normal, IL, where they raised their family. James passed June 13, 1999.

Joan is survived by daughters Jacquelyn (Brett) Larson, Batavia, IL, and Jolene (James) Hallam, Lee's Summit, MO; granddaughter Jensen Hallam; sister-in-law Delores Iverson; several nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James, four older siblings, and many relatives and friends.

Joan loved country line dancing, eating out, traveling to MO, MN, and WI, visiting with family and friends, singing barbershop music, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, learning Sudoku, collecting Gnomes and anything Wizard of Oz.

Joan was devoted to her family and was proud of her Norwegian Heritage. She loved to display pictures and talk about her granddaughter Jensen, had wonderful lifelong friends, and never met a stranger. She was dearly loved and will live on in the hearts and actions of her family and friends. Joan will be remembered as a kind and loving mother, grandmother, and friend.

The family extends a special thank you to friends Karen and Tom Robinson, Kay Henrichs, Connie and Vere Cottrell, and Susan Gardner for their cards, visits, gracious assistance, and loving friendship. The family thanks the staff at Evergreen Village Normal, IL, Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in El Paso, IL, and Transitions Hospice for their care and compassion.

A funeral will be held at Calvert Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington on Monday July 10, 2023, at 12 PM with visitation one hour before the service. A private family burial is planned. Deacon Lyn Ahearn will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorials made to International Rett Syndrome Foundation in honor of Jensen Hallam, or St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, in Joan (Iverson) Koch's name.