Alma Koch

Alma Koch, born Alma Lokken, was born on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota on July 8, 1920 to Olaf & Mary Alice Lokken. She grew up in Redby, and attended school on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, before attending business school in Bemidji, Minnesota. She met her husband Gene while visiting her Aunt and Uncle in Fridley, Minnesota, and they married in 1942. Together with their 3 sons they moved from Minneapolis to Coon Rapids in 1952. They subsequently had 2 additional sons, bringing their total to 5 boys. Alma and her husband Gene became close to those at Epiphany Catholic Church through their youngest son's (John) illness and death in 1965. They remained close friends with Fr. Reiser through Gene's death in 1989 and later through Fr. Reiser's death in 2011. Alma was actively involved with the Church, meeting in the Rosary circles, serving at funeral lunches, and additionally serving as a lunch lady to stay close to her grandkids while they attended school at Epiphany. Alma Koch worked at several places near her home, including the coffee shop at Red Owl, Bailey's Drive-In, and, ultimately, retiring from Target. Everywhere she worked needed to be within walking distance because she never had a driver's license. Alma had a green thumb, enjoyed the daily crossword puzzle, reading, playing cards, and up until her recent move into assisted living, baking for her family and friends. Alma turned 105 years old on July 8, 2025. She has 9 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Alma enjoyed such great care and is thankful for the staff when she was in Mercy Hospital, and for the care while in the transitional care unit at Park River Estates in Coon Rapids. Alma was able to live in her home until she was 104 years old, making the move into her apartment at Epiphany Assisted Living one year ago, in January of 2025. We are so thankful to the wonderful staff at Epiphany Assisted Living for the love and care they showed Mom, and the awesome crew at Hospice of the Midwest. Alma had a special relationship with her primary physician, Dr. Manoj, who treated her with such care over oh-so-many years. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, husband, Gene, sons John & Gene 'Butch'. She is survived by sons Dave (Pam), Paul (Kelly), Jerry (Sue). Grandchildren Michelle Walstad, Brian (Giao), Josh (Brenna), Jenna, Ryan (Maranda) Radke, Angela (James) Normington, Mike (Meaghan), John (Amber), and Tom. Great-grandchildren Nickalis (Morgan), Jasmine, Jaelyn, Aubrey, Quinnly, Julia, Lucas, Clara, Emily, Henry, Caden, Phoebe, Diana, Estelle, Great-great-grandchild Calum. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Alma Koch on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM at The Church of the Epiphany, with Father Dufner officiating. Visitation will be one hour before, at 9;30 AM, at Epiphany. Interment at Epiphany Cemetery. Luncheon to follow. Memorials to The Church of the Epiphany.

Tributes

Alma Koch

July 8, 1920 - January 23, 2026

Tributes

Alma Koch

July 8, 1920 - January 23, 2026

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