Karl Koch Sr.

Karl E. Koch Sr., 94, of Mountain Home, passed away at his home on June 17, 2012. A memorial and celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. An inurnment will follow with military honors at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home.

Karl was born and raised in Hammett. He graduated from Hammett High School and attended Boise Junior College where he played football in 1937. He graduated from the University of Idaho.

Karl proudly served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater in World War II as a First Lieutenant until 1946. One of his proudest achievements was attending Officer Training School in Australia.

Karl married Arlene Tiller in 1948. She passed away in 1982. He owned and operated Koch Lumber Company in Hammett until his retirement in 1983. Karl met Sheila Freshwater in 1984, and they were married in 2000.

Karl was a member of the Idaho Legislature and served as Assistant Minority Leader. He was appointed and served on the Idaho Permanent Building Authority and was the Chairman for a number of years.

He was a 69-year member of Masonic Oriental Lodge #60 and also a member of the El Korah Shrine, the Elks Lodge B.P.O.E, Rotary and the Round Bellies. He enjoyed golfing, spending winters in Yuma, Arizona, and watching BSU football!

Karl is survived by his wife, Sheila Koch; his daughter, Karen and her husband Dan John of Boise; his son, Karl Jr. and his wife Jody Koch of Yuma; his grandchildren: Steve John; Ben and his wife Heidi John; Lindsey and her husband, Josh Hunter; Haley Koch; Ashley and her husband Victor Clifton; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arlene; his brother, Ferd Koch; stepson Richard McFarland and his great-grandson, Braden John.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.