Dennis E. Koch, age 75, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018, at a hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at St. Martins Lutheran Church in Watertown.
Rev. Paul Janke will officiate.
Music will be provided by Carol Janke as organist.
The family is requested to meet at the church on Thursday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service. Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, from 4-7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.
Honorary pallbearers will be: the Watertown Police Department and retirees of the Police Department, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Codington County Sheriff's Department, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Officers, Dr. Kim Wilde, the American Legion Post #17 Baseball Association, Dick Fedt and Mary Decker, Gene and Bonnie Voelsch, Gary and Pam Morris, Delbert Petersen, Jerry and Ardelle DeDe, Mark and Laura Bayles and Chuck and Shell Kurkosky.
Active pallbearers will be Darrick Koch, Rod Koch, Dillon Koch, Mike Starr, Bob Starr and Pete Brugman. Dennis was born on December 29, 1942, in Watertown, SD, to Otto and Lucille (Larson) Koch.
He was a graduate of Watertown High School.
He worked at Len's Gas Station and Star Laundry.
On February 21, 1966, Dennis began working for the Watertown Police Department. On January 2, 1967, Dennis married Carol Wehrkamp at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.
The couple made their home in Watertown as Dennis continued to work for the Police Department.
He retired July 1, 1996, as Chief of Detectives. He was a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church and the F.O.P. Lodge 7.
Dennis enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, gardening, playing pinochle, four-wheeling and going for rides.
He liked watching the American Legion Post #17 baseball team and Watertown Fast Pitch softball.
He was an avid fan of the SDSU Jackrabbits, the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins.
Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Dennis is survived by his wife, Carol, of Watertown; one daughter, Jody (Dean) Walsh, of Watertown; one granddaughter, Chandra Walsh; one brother, Darrel Koch, of Watertown and one sister, Denise Sotka, of Watertown. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and three sisters.
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