Peter Emil Koch

It is with great sadness that we say good bye to a unique, intelligent, stubborn, one of a kind ole codger with greasy hands, Mr. Peter Emil Koch.  Peter was born April 18th, 1925 on a farm near Compeer, Alberta to John and Elizabeth Koch.  Marie Fischer stole his heart and in 1952 they were joined in union.  Peter and Marie lived near Compeer, Alberta starting their family with 3 boys, then settled in Claybank, Saskatchewan where their other 4 children were born.  Peter’s unique character made an impact on so many people’s lives, both young and old, but especially his children: Emerson Koch (Karen), Ally Koch (Betty Ann), Dan Koch (Arlene), Kathy Rossler (Randy), Bettyann Skagen (Brent), John Koch (Bev), Peter Koch (Sharon); his grand-children: Nadine Schoenroth (Todd), Cole Koch, Kara Koch (Jon Johnson), Jessica and Jennifer Koch, Ryley Koch, Trevor Koch (Tammy), Lyndsey and Peter Koch, Jodi Rossler (Mel Bernard), Vanessa Lamey (Joe), Nathanael and Kristen Skagen, J.R. Koch (Sarah), Brianne and Keshia Koch; great-grandchildren: Emery Schoenroth, Reese Koch, Sloan Koch, Montana and Jake Silverson, Randall and Janzen Lamey, Jaxon Simmons, Gavin, Ryder, Kahlia, and Baylee Koch, and Sophia Koch.  Peter started and operated Koch Auto & Welding.  He and Marie, along with their family, raised numerous farm animals.  In 1978 Peter bought some back hoe equipment.  Emerson joined him, and they started Double K Excavating.  Shortly thereafter John and Peter joined and it is today a busy family operation.  Peter bought a farm just outside Tuxford at the ripe age of 65, farming and raising over a 100 head of cattle.  After Peter sold the cattle and land, he continued to enjoy cutting and bailing hay every year.  Peter didn’t want to leave this earth yet, he wanted to live to at least a hundred; he wanted to continue to work, fix his farm equipment, take the yearly fishing trip to Clam Lake with his family and friends, visit with his buddies and many he had, and continue to tell his children and grandchildren how to do things.  But at 91 years of age, that ole heart, true to its owner, cantankerous, yet gentle, worked hard, and at an average of 70 beats per minute, and over 91 years, it had beat over 3.8 billion times and said that was enough Peter, we have worked hard and long enough!  Peter was predeceased by his wife, Marie; son, Ally; granddaughter, Jennifer; and son-in-law, Randy.  Peter was the last remaining of his siblings.  At Peter’s request, a Private Family Celebration of Peter’s Life was held on Saturday, August 20th, 2016.  A private interment will be held at a later date at Mount Carmel Cemetery near Provost, Alberta.  Donations graciously accepted to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Sask, Unit 26 – 1738 Quebec Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9, the Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation, PO Box 1286, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 2M2 or the Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 55 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550