Obituary of Debra J. Koch

Debra Jean Koch, age 61, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, after a brief yet courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. Services will be at 12:00 P.M. on Monday, September 21, 2015 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Martin Baur will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Monday at the church. Following the service there will be a celebration of life from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Sheri and Thomas Clasen's residence. Debra was born April 18, 1954 in Wisconsin Rapids to Ralph and Marjorie (Laing) Sorenson. She married John H. Koch on June 24, 1972 in Wisconsin Rapids. Debra was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was involved in various activities including choir member, head of the decorating committee, and was instrumental in creating the church and school library. She had a God-given talent for gardening and for nurturing people and animals. She found joy in entertaining family, and as an artist by painting, sewing and decorating. She cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Debra is survived by her husband, John H. Koch; mother and step-father, Marjorie (John) Ryskiewicz; children: Sheri (Thomas) Wipfli-Clasen, Elly (Brian) Paegelow, and John A. (Jessica) Koch; grandchildren: Jace Wipfli, Ashleyn Sparks-Koch, Brooke Sparks-Koch, Connor Koch, Johnathan Koch, and Branden Koch; step-grandchildren: Anna, Clara and Madeline Clasen, Breanne Yetter, Erin Paegelow; great-step-grandchilden: Lyam Yetter, and Ashlyn Yetter; sister, Kaylyn Falkosky; brothers, James (Phyllis) Sorenson and Gary Sorenson; and her daughter by choice, Cyndi Nelson, and her children Derek and Emelie Nelson. Debra was preceded in death by her grandparents; father, Ralph Sorenson; and grandson, Maxwell James Wipfli.