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Kenneth Gordon Koch, 78, of Garden Prairie, IL, died March 27, 2023, in Garden Prairie. He was born November 18, 1944, in Belvidere, IL, son to Gordon and Alice (Guse) Koch. Kenneth graduated High School and continued his education receiving certifications. Ken married Nan Jean Stutte in Las Vegas on September 10, 1986. He was a volunteer Fireman for 25 years at Boone County District #2 and worked at Chrysler as a repair man for 35 years before his retirement. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere, a past member of Eagles, Moose, VFW and American Legion and belonged to the Garden Prairie Grasshoppers 4–H Club growing up. He loved to travel with Nan Jean on cruise ships destinations including Alaska and Australia. He was a proud farmer, taking over the Centennial Family Farm. He loved his family. Ken was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa!

He is loved and will be missed by his wife, Nan Jean; son, Michael (Cammie) Koch; daughters, Rebecca (Paul) Engelbrecht and Jamie (David) Irons; stepchildren, Greg (Donna) Evans, Kelly Rosik, and Terri (Laurence "Tilly") Tilbury; sister, Linda Gahlbeck; grandchildren, Jessica, Jasmine, Josephine, Johnathon, Matthew, Kaitlin, Isaiah, Jacob, Charlene, Stefanie, Nick, and Jenna; 9 great-grandchildren; niece, Sherry Jacobsen; and nephew, Scott Gahlbeck. Ken is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Ed Gahlbeck; son-in-law, Alan Rosik; and grandson, Matthew Rosik.

Ken's visitation will be at 9 to 11 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1045 Belvidere Rd., Belvidere, IL 61008. His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Rev. Keith Richard will officiate. Burial at Lawrenceville Cemetery. In his honor and in lieu of flowers, memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church, District #2 and OSF Hospice. To share a memory, please visit www.andersonfcs.com.