David Koch

November 16th, 1943 – March 4th, 2025 

The family of David Koch are saddened to announce his passing on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at St. Boniface Hospital.  After many years of complicated illnesses, he was finally able to pass away peacefully with family at his side.  Dave was predeceased by his parents, Dora and Matt, and younger brother, Ken. He is survived by his wife and caregiver, Carol; son, Kurtis (Kirsi); and daughter, Sherisse (Cam), and his pride and joy, grandsons, Keaton (Sawyer) and Aiden.  Also mourning the loss are brother, Ed (Anne Marie) and sister, Betty (Rick); brother in law and best friend, Tony (Linda); sisters in law, Lillian and Chris (Rolf); his nieces and nephews, cousins, and Aunt Caroline Gottfried.  Dave was also blessed to have many special friends and neighbours in his life.

David was born on November 16th, 1943, in Gimli, Manitoba and spent his childhood growing up on the family farm in Berlo. He moved to Winnipeg during his high school years to live with family before beginning his plumbing career with his uncle, Mike Paziuk. The rest of Dave’s 55 year career was spent working for Randall Plumbing and doing odd jobs for family and friends.

Dave and Carol were married on September 24th, 1966, and family life began when Kurt and then Sherisse were born.  Many weekends were spent on the farm near Gimli with relatives –  feasting, playing cards, or fishing. Dave was extremely proud of his kids, often bragging about their childhood accomplishments to anyone who would listen. He enjoyed his visits to Red Deer and Russell, however it was becoming a grandfather that was the highlight of his life.  He especially loved watching the boys’ hockey and baseball games. Even during his final days in the hospital he was still sharing the stories of his “grandson who works for Hydro” and his other grandson “who plays in the WHL”.

For as long as his family can remember, Dave loved listening to country music, fishing, watching NHL and CFL games, attending his friend group’s annual Grey Cup Parties, cooking (and eating), baking Grandpa’s chocolate chip cookies, watching horse racing, doing his crosswords, playing solitaire, and winning almost every crib game he played. He was thrilled to be able to own his own racehorse, appropriately named Diamond Dave. He was always up for discussing (well, arguing about) politics, the Bombers, and the Jets. He may have complained about the money Carol spent on her garden, but he was the first to pull you in from the street and show it off.

David faced many health obstacles, often stumping his doctors along the way, but never giving up the fight, each time setting a goal to be met: his annual Union Retirees Christmas luncheons, his 50th wedding anniversary, and his 80th birthday.  As his health declined further, he really struggled with giving in and forging on, but that’s what he did.  He beat cancer, heart attacks, and fought against different lung diseases and other issues. In the words of one of his doctors, he was a tough man.  His last admission to hospital ended in a different result from previous visits. While grief and sadness will be present in the days ahead, there is some relief in knowing that his suffering is over and he can now rest in peace.

Looks like we will now have to open the garage door ourselves and that Food Fare has lost its best customer.

From Keaton: I have never met anyone who has been more proud of what Aiden and I have accomplished throughout the years. Every time we visited, all Grandpa could talk about was how proud he was of everything we do. We had fun playing crib – he would try to make it a fair game and then end up skunking me almost every time.  If we weren’t playing crib, we would be talking about hunting or fishing. He enjoyed it when I brought him fresh sausage from my hunts and he saw the pictures to go with it. These conversations and crib games will definitely be missed.  I hope you rest easy, Grandpa.  Until we can play our crib games again, I love you and miss you.

From Aiden: From the day I can remember, Grandpa was the biggest fan and supporter of my hockey career.  The talks about how bad the Jets were in some games and then how good they were in others will never be forgotten. He always told me how much of a picky eater I was whenever I wouldn’t eat “his” food  that was “the best you can get”.  It went from being picky to eating too much food and that I’d have to be put to work for a week to pay back Grandma. I can’t wait to see you in the next life, Grandpa.  Love you and miss you always.  Rest easy.

Dave’s final wishes were to be cremated and for his family to “have a good meal together”. To those outside this circle, please do the same with your families. No service will be held.