Dr. Donald A. Koch, 93, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on February 27, 2009 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Family and friends may gather starting at 6 p.m., Sunday evening, March 1, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola where a Celebration service will be held at 7 p.m. He ended his courageous battle with Alzheimers succumbing to respiratory failure. Burial of cremains will be at a later date.

Don was born January 5, 1916 in Lykens, PA. He married his college sweetheart, Ruth, on October 25, 1941. His career in education began as a Literature professor at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. After earning his doctorate at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, Don and his family moved to Indianola, IA in 1960 where he became Chair of the English Department at Simpson College.

Don served the Indianola community on City Council, City Utilities Board and in Rotary, as President and District Governor.

Don is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Don Jr. (Cheryl) of Indianola, Dan (Julie) of Hudson, WI and Rick (Chris) of Denver, CO; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Simpson College or the Indianola Rotary Club.