1938-2026
Deanna Koch (Dee as she was known by her family and friends), joined the resurrection life on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:02 p.m. while residing at MorningStar Assisted Living Center in West Des Moines, Iowa. Her sons, Peter and Daniel, were next to her as she took her rest and was lovingly reunited with her family and friends who had made their journey earlier into the arms of God’s embrace.
A Celebration of Life for Dee is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Burial will occur immediately following the service at Memorial Park Cemetery in Muscatine. A reception and luncheon will be held at The Merrill Hotel that same afternoon following the burial. A special room rate has been secured at the Merrill Hotel and when making reservations please ask for the “bereavement rate”. Please call 563-263-2600 to reserve a room.
Born on June 6, 1938 to Robert Edwin Crow and Mable Geraldine (Fish) Crow in Waterloo, Iowa. She grew up following her father’s career in the postal service to a number of cities and towns including Villa Park, Illinois but eventually to Des Moines, where she was joined by her sister Roberta (Bobbi) when she was 7 years old. During the early years of World War II, Dee spent a number of months with her Grandpa and Grandma Fish on their farm in Ayrshire, Iowa. She had wonderful memories of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles as they busied themselves with farm and family life.
She eventually returned with her parents to Des Moines, Iowa, and enjoyed her friends and scholastics and participated in art and music as an accomplished pianist and vocalist. It was her church activities throughout her school career that she felt most at home. Life-long friendships were established there but most importantly, an understanding and deep love of God and her savior, Jesus Christ. After she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1956, she began pursuing a nursing degree, first at Grandview College in Des Moines, Iowa but ultimately, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Iowa in 1961.
While at the University of Iowa, she continued to be active in growing her faith through Campus Crusade for Christ. While attending their activities and worship services, she made the acquaintance of a young graduate student, pursuing his Masters Degree in Chemistry, Gerhard Frederick Koch III. Everyone called him Jeff because if you say his first two initials fast enough, it sounds like Jeff. Well, let’s just say the chemistry was right and soon the couple made plans for a life together. They were joined in marriage on June 10, 1961 at First Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa.
When Jeff secured his teaching position at Muscatine Community College, they moved to Muscatine. Dee was a Community Health Nurse in Muscatine as her first job. She later worked on the floors of Muscatine General Hospital for several years. She was compassionate to everyone but especially to those who struggled with mental illness. She received additional education and training in psych nursing and worked in that area for a few years, eventually becoming a Psych Nursing instructor at Scott Community College in Davenport, Iowa. She drove many years between Muscatine and Davenport until her own health dictated that she not be on her feet or drive as much. That did not stop her! After a brief few years as the Christian Education Director at First Presbyterian Church, she began to feel called to address spiritual care of church members when they were facing health challenges. This is where she spent the remainder of her career- as a Parish Nurse for her church. She led many others into this area of nursing, and it was her calling to care for the whole person; body, mind, and spirit.
Her love of her church family at First Presbyterian Church was boundless. Deep friendships, real connections, and passionate energy for shared ministry came from her naturally joyful spirit. Music, art, travel, and gardening was where she found beauty and restoration.
It was Dee’s family that brought her the most personal joy and reward. She and Jeff welcomed their first son, Peter, in 1964. Because of her work in the community, Dee became aware of a 14 year old girl who needed a home in Muscatine, so she and Jeff welcomed Rosalie into their family with open arms in 1965 as her legal guardians. Little did they know it, but at the same time, Dee was pregnant with their second son, Daniel, who joined the family on Peter’s birthday, just two years later in 1966. Jonathan arrived 4 years later in 1970. By then Dee and Jeff had built a home outside of Muscatine in the country atop the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. With ample space for gardens, landscaping, a huge lawn, and forest all around them, this became their refuge and place of comfort and joy.
Neighbors quickly became part of the family, with children the same ages as the boys, surrounding them in their country retreat. Christmas and New Years Eve were special times at the house as family and many friends gathered traditionally, year after year.
Extended family of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles were all part of the vibrant family life she enjoyed. Everyone in the family knew they belonged because Dee made each one feel special and appreciated for who they are. Her humor and laughter could lighten the mood of most anyone except when they had to leave.
When Jeff passed away in 2010, their joyful home in the country began to be too much for her alone, and so she took the step of finding a design home in Muscatine where she spent the past 7+ years. It wasn’t until she received her cancer diagnosis in 2025, surgery in April 2025, and a recommendation for chemotherapy that she accepted a move to the Des Moines area so that she could be surrounded by family who could support her many medical appointments.
Left to treasure her memory are her many friends, relatives, and former colleagues. Especially her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, along with her sister Roberta Forrester. Her son Peter (Jan) Koch of Austin, Texas, and their two children, grandson Christopher Koch of New York, New York and granddaughter Jessica Koch of Baltimore, Maryland. Her son Daniel (Rhonda) Koch of Waukee, Iowa, and their two children, grandson Joshua (Sara) Koch of Waukee, Iowa and granddaughter Kelly (U.S. Army Captain Charles Bormann II) Bormann of Colorado Springs, Colorado and their two children Luke Bormann and Caroline Bormann. Her son Jonathan Koch who resided in Muscatine the last 15 years now of Jefferson, Iowa. Grandsons by way of Rosalie (Dolquist) Huscko (deceased) and Stanley Huscko, Seth (Hannah) Huscko of Muscatine Iowa, and U.S. Air Force Major Andre’ Huscko of California.
Dee’s favorite charities are listed below if you would like to honor her with a donation: American Institute for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, University of Iowa Nursing Progress Fund, Friends of Iowa Public Television, Iowa Public Radio, Doctors Without Borders, Children International, American Red Cross, Camp Bear Creek – Presbyterian Church Camp, 1st Presbyterian Church of Muscatine, Muscatine Civic Chorale, Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, and the Muscatine Arts Council.
