John Koch

Longtime Pequot Lakes resident, John Meinrad Koch, died December 16, 2025, at his home in Crosslake, MN surrounded by his loving family.

John was born July 13, 1931, in Wadena, MN to Paul and Florence (Kripps) Koch. He graduated from Wadena High School in 1949 and joined the US Coast Guard later that year. After serving on the USCGC Mackinaw, the largest icebreaker on the Great Lakes, John joined the US Merchant Marines and served until he returned to school in 1954. He attended Mayville State Teachers College, earning a degree in Education with a focus in US History and Political Science. 

John’s first teaching job brought him to Argyle, MN where he taught and coached multiple sports. There he met a bright-eyed, red-headed school secretary who captured his heart. John married Annette St. Germain on June 21, 1960, the joy of John’s life through 65 years of marriage. Together they dedicated their lives to raising and supporting their nine children through many cross-country adventures, athletic endeavors, school achievements, and church activities.

John was an outdoorsman who spent countless hours in his beloved “40” and enjoyed time in nature, from blueberry picking and maple syrup harvesting to summertime swimming in local lakes with his young children. Each year he and Annette had a garden the size of a football field on their hobby farm, true precursors in the farm-to-table movement. John was a sportsman who enjoyed annual fishing and hunting weekends with his sons, grandsons, and brother. In retirement he cared for homing pigeons, taking them on visits to Iowa so he could set them free and discover them safe in their coop upon his return home. He was his children’s biggest supporter from the bleachers of any playing field, concert hall, or piano recital, not to mention from the passenger side as a certified driver’s ed instructor. He was an active member of the Pequot Lakes community, serving early-on with the fire department, volunteering with the 4-H club, worshipping at St. Alice Catholic Church, and as Mr. Koch - teaching history, civics, and political science from his wood podium at the front of the classroom.

John was a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a veteran, a friend, a teacher, and a devoted Catholic with a deep faith in God and His mercy. We will miss his steady presence in our lives.

A special thank you to the Good Samaritan Society, the VA, Vivie Hospice, and to the entire staff and friends at Whitefish at the Lakes, a community that allowed him to flourish during his late years of life.

John is survived by his wife, Annette; children: Roger (Julie), Jacinta (Brad), Jacqueline (William), Tom, Brian (Michelle), Dan (Suzanne), Patti (Rubén), John (Katie), and Mary (Matthew); many grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Carly, John, Amanda, Zachary, Kyle, Lindsay, Ryan, Aaron, Stephen, Jeremy, Eric, Sam, Elliot, Walker, Jaclyn, Joe, Andrew, Tim, Amanda, Paige, Mary, Tony, Lucy, Izzy, Louise, Alice, Jack, and Max; 45 great-grandchildren who loved their Papa John; siblings: Mary Lou, Kathleen, Paul, and Joe. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his siblings Joan, Robert, Pauline, Chuck, and Tony.

Mass and a celebration of life will be Saturday, January 17 at Immaculate Heart Church in Crosslake, MN. Visitation at 10am, Mass at 11am, reception and fellowship following.

For those unable to attend, please join via the livestream.

In lieu of flowers please honor John with a donation to Operation Smile or to the Council of Catholic Women at Immaculate Heart Church.