Ralph J. Koch, 79, of Axtell, Kansas, died May 2, 2025, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 8, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Axtell.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 9, at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, north of Axtell. For those attending feel free to bring a chair if needed.

The honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Hunter Koch, Tyler Jones, Braden Jones, Ashley Blonquist, Paisley Jones, Remi Jones and Makenzie Jones.

Ralph was born October 8, 1945, near Baileyville, Kansas, one of thirteen children born to Vincent and Helen (Hulsing) Koch. In 1963, he graduated from Axtell High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Axtell.

On April 8, 1967, he married Judy A. Violand at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort. They made their home in Axtell.

Ralph worked at a filling station in Seneca and then at the elevator in Axtell. He later retired from Landoll Corporation in Marysville as a material handler.

He enjoyed watching sports, especially when his grandchildren were participating. He would take the grandchildren fishing.

Ralph was a member of the Axtell American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronald Koch on March 3, 2009; brothers, John and Francis Koch; and infant sister, Cecilia Koch.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; two daughters, Angela Koch of Axtell, and Jennifer Jones of Summerfield, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Janet Koch of Axtell; four brothers, Leroy (Sandy) Koch, Carl (Jan) Koch, and Roger (Donna) Koch, all of Axtell, and Michael (Janet) Koch of Lindsborg, Kansas; seven sisters, Verita Schmitz of Seneca, Mary Kramer of Grand Junction, Colorado, Edna Lackey of Kansas City, Missouri, Alice Porting of Axtell, Joann Porting of Axtell, Barbara Korte of Goff, Kansas, and Sharon Skalla of Beattie, Kansas; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established to the Axtell American Legion or Axtell EMS. Contributions may be sent to the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, C/o Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508