Colette Lavina Koch

Colette Lavina (Lange) Koch, was born on June 15, 1930 and entered into heavenly peace on November 27, 2025 with her family’s loving presence and support at the Avera Hospice House in Yankton at the age of 95. Colette was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fordyce, NE with the Rev. James Keiter officiating. Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Fordyce. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Monday, December 15 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the church one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton, SD.

Colette was born and raised on the family farm to Edward and Theresa (Kleinschmit) Lange where her grandfather homesteaded. She attended grade school at St. John the Baptist Catholic School and District 108 Country School. She graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1948 and obtained a teaching certificate from Wayne State College. She taught in country school, grades 1 to 8, for four years.

On January 9, 1952, Colette married the love of her life, Jerry Koch. They were married by Fr. Anthony Kluthe at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley, NE. They celebrated their 72nd anniversary one week before Jerry’s passing in 2024. Colette and Jerry lived their life together on the farm until they moved to Majestic Bluffs in October of 2021.

Colette, a devout Catholic, was dedicated to raising her six children. While being a supportive farm wife, Colette cultivated a productive vegetable garden. She loved flowers and had a magical green thumb to create gorgeous floral arrangements around her home. Cooking and baking was also a passion of Colette’s. She will always be remembered for the mouth-watering pies she baked. Many pies would be enjoyed at the annual Koch Christmas gatherings or as a high-bidding item at the church’s fundraising events. Colette was a self-taught skilled seamstress. One of the highlights of her sewing projects was creating square dance costumes that she and Jerry wore when square dancing. Her crocheted afghan blankets are cherished by each of her children and grandchildren. One of Colette’s most treasured hobbies, especially in her years at Majestic Bluffs, was playing the piano by ear. It was a true blessing for her to be able to play her favorite tunes for her family and fellow residents there. Colette and Jerry enjoyed dancing, especially dancing to polkas and waltzes, and they also belonged to numerous card clubs. They loved to travel, and their favorite travel adventure was to Rome, Italy.

Colette was an active member of St. John the Baptist Church Catholic Church in Fordyce, NE. She belonged to the Christian Mother’s group, the Ladies Guild, the Finance Committee, West Catholic School Board, Family Ministry and the Liturgy Committee. After raising her family, she found much joy working at Evie’s Hallmark.

Colette loved to get family and friends together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or to just have a good game of cards. Arranging a “surprise” birthday party for a loved one gave her so much joy! Her family was especially important to her. She attended as many activities and events of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as she could and looked forward to the baptisms, first communions, confirmations, graduations and weddings.

Colette was a beautiful woman inside and out. Her legacy lives on in the faith-filled family she built, instilling values of commitment, perseverance, family life, gratitude and love. She will be greatly missed by those with whom she shared her love.

Colette is survived by her six children: Patti (Dan) Eisenbraun of Yankton, SD, Charlotte (Mike) Arens of Kearney, NE, Janice (Rodney) Schieffer of Crofton, NE, Gary (Candyce) Koch of Fordyce, NE, Tim (Janet) Koch of Omaha, NE and Sandy (Mike) Draper of Omaha; 22 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; her brothers: Linus Lange and Ed (Bernadette) Lange; her sister, Jeannie Schieffer; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Lange.

Colette was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; grandson, Timothy Daniel Koch; sisters: Rainaldes Schulte, Sylvia Loecker, Theresa Stappert, and Sister Diane Lange O.S.B.; brother, Marvin Lange; and in-laws: Emery and Evelyn Koch, Harold Schulte, Leander Loecker, Jim Stappert, June Lange and Loren Schieffer.