Joseph C. Koch, 88, of Baileyville, died on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Life Care Center of Seneca.

Joe was born on February 20, 1934, to Clem and Clementine Fangman Koch. Joe attended school at Baileyville, graduating in 1950.  After he graduated, he helped his father farm and he did tinker for Paul Koch, until he enlisted into the U.S. Army on August 9, 1955.  Joe was discharged on May 24, 1957, from Connell Airforce Base in Texas. He earned the rank of SP3 (T) and was assigned to Btry B 546^th AAA BN for his 1 year, 9 months, 16 days of service. After he was discharged, he went back to farming with his father on the family farm. Joe went to work for the Nemaha County Road and Bridge Department until 1959.

On April 11, 1959, Joe married Mary Mueting at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. In 1960, Joe bought a dairy herd and started milking cows, and he milked until 2004, when his heart and body would no longer let him.

Joe loved his grandchildren and seldom missed one of their events; he enjoyed sports and going to the coffee shop and catching up on the latest news.

Joe was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

Joe was preceded in death by his son, Edward on July 2, 1971; his parents, Clem and Clementine; brothers, Regis, Mark and Rock Koch; and his sisters, Eileen Rusche, Theresa Spiker, Mary Olberding, Angela Roeder, Rita Haug and Evelyn Rothenbergers.

Joe is survived by his wife of 63 year, Mary; sons, Clem (Rosemary) Koch of Baileyville and Damian Koch of Baileyville; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Koch, Jordon Koch and Hannah (Chase) Copeland; four great grandchildren, Jaelynn, Jaxon, Jessa and Henton; and one great-grandchild on the way

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Friday, September 30, 2022, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 AM Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials for Joe will be designated at a later date and sent in care of the family.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .