Deanna Koch, 85, Medford

Deanna Marilyn (Ohnstad) Koch of Medford died Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Owatonna, at the age of 85.

Deanna was born, the youngest of eight children, on the family farm in Deerfield township in Minnesota, on Aug. 10, 1938, to Nicolai and Mathilda (Olson) Ohnstad. Along with her six older brothers and one older sister, she attended District 92 Country School. Eventually she and her mother moved into town, and she graduated from Owatonna High School in 1956.

After marrying the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Koch, in Las Vegas, on Jan. 25, 1957, they headed west eventually settling in Downey, Calif., where they raised two daughters, Renee and Rhonda. Deanna worked for years as a secretary/administrative assistant at Anaconda & Coast Metal Crafts.

Deanna will long be remembered as the life of every party. She was quite the trickster and loved a good joke. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, Polka dancing, and playing games and cards with friends and family. She was instrumental in planning events and getting people together.

Family was deeply important to Deanna. She made tremendous effort to keep in touch with everyone and was the planner behind multiple family reunions. She liked to reminisce about her days on the farm and loved spending time at the Steele County Free Fair.

Deanna and Bob had an open-door policy, and their home was a welcoming place whether you were family, friend or even a member of the Armed Forces. They always had a bed, couch or floor, and big hearty breakfasts available for each and every visitor.

Deanna is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Bob, of Owatonna; daughters Renee (Dick) Hanks and Rhonda Koch-Parkhouse of California; grandchildren: Courtney (Riley) Wills, Kristen (Michael) Pena, Brianna Koch and Kaley (Paul) Murchie; great grandchildren: Walker and Claire Wills, and Niko Pena; stepson Darryl (Mary) Koch, stepdaughter Sue Koch; and sisters-in-law Dorothy Ohnstad and Darlene Ohnstad.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Neil, Glenn, Louie, Myron, Claire and Homer (Nick); sister Merdis Dahle; grandson Nick Marold; son-in-law Dick Hanks; stepdaughter Karen Herron; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at Medford Funeral Home, 310 E. Central, Medford, at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at Medford Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. There will be a time to gather at the Elks Lodge in Owatonna, 126 E. Vine St., Owatonna following the burial.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.