Gerhardt E. Poch

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, August 23, 1933
Date of Death:
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Age:
83 years old

Visitation

Date: Wednesday April 12, 2017
Time: 9:30 am - 11:00 am

Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church [ view map ]

Funeral Service

Date: Wednesday April 12, 2017
Time: 11:00 am

Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Meadow Ridge Memorial Park [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, August 23, 1933
Date of Death:
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Age:
83 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, August 23, 1933
Date of Death:
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Age:
83 years old

Gerhardt E. Poch

Gerhardt Erick Leo Poch, age 83 passed away in his home peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, April 9, 2017 after living with multiple myeloma for six years.

He was born on August 23, 1933 to George and Martha (Harms) Poch in North Morristown, MN. He graduated in 1951 from Faribault High School. Gerhardt married Darlene Koger in Faribault, MN on June 26, 1954.

He enlisted in the US Army Reserves in 1951 and was in active reserves until 1956 when he enlisted as active duty. There were thirty men in his military unit, twenty-nine men went to Korea and he was assigned to duty in Germany. Gary was stationed in Fulda, Germany for two years as border-patrol with the 14th Armored Calvary. It was at this time, that Gary and his wife met his German born mother’s family which began a lasting connection for generations to come.

Upon honorable discharge, he returned to Faribault, MN where he began his working career, working at several trucking operations. In 1973, he purchased a Schweigert Meat Distributorship in Rochester, MN, serving customers in a fifty mile radius for 26 years.

Gary was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, Rochester Music Men Barbershop Chorus and Bluebird Recovery Program of MN. He was an avid golfer, golfing five or six times per week, always insisting on walking the entire 18 holes. He loved singing with the church choir and sang with the Barbershoppers for forty-five years. He also enjoyed doing work in his yard, traveling, feeding and watching birds and auto mechanics. Gerhardt will be remembered for his upbeat nature, playful sense of humor, outgoing personality, and love of music.

Gary is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Darlene and their son Gary both of Rochester. His brother George (Gloria) Poch of Rochester, his sister Charlotte (Dick) McDonough of Faribault, MN, four grandchildren Bryce Poch, Gina (Ira) Newell, Ethan Poch, Lauren Poch, two great-grandchildren Aria and Reid Newell.

The funeral service for Gary will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester officiated by Pastor Adam Koglin. Visitation will be held from 9:30am until 11:00am prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery in Faribault, MN. Pall Bearers will be his four grandchildren and three God-Children: Brian Poch, Gale Poch, and Patrick McDonough.

The family requests memorials be made to Seasons Hospice, Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Eagles Cancer Telethon. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Minneapolis VA Hospital, Mayo Clinic and Seasons Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and excellent care.

Condolences

The family of Gerhardt E. Poch has received the following condolences.

Darlene, Gary and family: I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. Know that Gerhardt will always be with you in spirit. May time and the happy memories of your time together help heal your hearts. Sending love. 


Rita Black

Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Mr Poch. Our loving Creator and Heavenly Father knows the pain of your heart and has promised that very soon this enemy death and all the things that bring our hearts pain will be a distant memory-Revelation 21:3/4. Until then please find comfort in knowing that "He is close to the broken hearted and those crushed in spirit he saves"-Psalm 34:18. It is my hope that this passage along with your loving memories of Mr Poch comfort your hearts and give you a measure of peace during this most difficult time. 

My prayers go out to you Darlene and your entire family during this time. I always loved "poochie" as my Dad would call him, as a kid when I was growing up and singing in the choir. He had such a great sense of humor and a smile on his face! These are my memories. He now gets to sing with God up in heaven. 


 


Love and hugs


 


Lynn Jenkins


 


(daughter of Bob and Ardis Jenkins)

Darlene and Family,


Sorry to hear of Gerhardt's passing.  Always loved to see you guys and remember you both from early Thielbar family reunions in Faribault.  God bless you and remember the wonderful husband, father and grandfather that you were privileged to have as part of your life.  


Nina   

My dearest Darlene and family.  Our sweet Gary, who used to tease me all the time and always had a smile for me is now with our Heavenly Father.  I just heard from my daughter Colleen that he passed, and she sent me this link.  I am so sorry for your loss, and words will not be enough.  I believe in God, Jesus Christ and the promise  of in my Father's house are many rooms, and he is in there because he was such a good soul.  I don't know if brother Bob will be able to respond, unless it's through Mike.  Bob  is in the hospital with a hip replacement yesterday, Eva is in Arkansas with daughter Carla, and I just had stints put in on Saturday.  If I would have known earlier, Dan and I could have been there.  We love you all so very much and my heart is heavy for you, and yet I rejoice at the wonder that Gerhardt no longer has pain.  God Bless you all, all of our love,


Dan and Doris 

Darlene, Gary and family:  We have such fond memories of the Pochs including Grandma Poch as she played ball with "little" Gary and the Willow Street kids.  We always remember Gary's sense of humor and ready smile.  He was a prankster and loved to show off his "Mongoose in a box" as he scared any viewers.  He and Darlene were wonderful neighbors and we hated to lose them to Rochester.  Our sympathy to Darlene and all their friends and relatives as they mourn a very special man.  We are in Arizona and will not return until late this month.  Our love to you, Allan and Alice Hopke

Darlene, Gary and Family,


 


We are deeply saddened by the news of Gerhardt's passing. No words of condolences can lessen the pain and loss you are feeling now. 


Gerhardt has been instrumental in finding the relatives in Germany. Without him, we may not have gotten to know George, Charlotte and the rest of the Family in Minnesota.


Gerhardt may be gone away from this world but he will always be remembered as a good man.


We won't be able to join you in bidding Gerhardt goodbye. But our thoughts are with you.


- Hartmut and Violen 


 

Darlene and Gary, you have my sympathy.    I normally watch the OBITS in the Faribault Paper and was saddened to see this.    Although a smile did come shortly thereafter at the memories I do retain from the many years ago you guys lived next door to us.   I will always remember the JEEP PATH.   Gerhardt made up the hill back of the house.   My parents have since moved also.  So I don't get back that way often.   I do marvel at the Walnut trees your family planted years ago at how large they are.   I do remember Gerhardt singing in the barbershop quartets.   I remember many fun times spent at your house as a young kid.   Gerhardt kept up such a nice house and all the flowers and large yard he maintained in Faribault.   I think it was Gerhardt's mother that would come and play baseball out back with us kids.   I remember going out to the farm she lived on also.    Fun to relieve the memories.  


 


Brad Hopke

Dar, Gary, George, Char, & families


We were so saddened to learn of Gary's passing and we're also sorry that we are unable to make the trip up for Wednesday.   


We have so many good memories, and send our condolences and Blessings to all of you.


Marv and Carole Bottke


 

Darlene and Family:  Deepest sympathies to you on the passing of Gerhardt.  I remember Gerhardt playing the piano in a tent during the Rice County Fair.  Also the times the Young family stopped at your house on south Willow.  Carol (Young) Meyer

Darlene and family:  Our prayers and hearts are with you upon learning of Gerhard's passing.   May you know the healing hands of Jesus and be strengthened by the love He shares with you.   We rejoice that he is no longer suffering and is enjoying his eternal reward.   His kindness, compassion, sense of humor and determination will be missed.


Sorry we won't be with on Wednesday for the celebration of his life and sharing in your grief.


We will ever be grateful for the many visits with him while he was at the VA and was so proud of the manner in which he handled his stay there.


love and prayers to all -- we are with you in spirit.

Hearing about your loss has deeply saddened me, Gerhardt! So R.I.P. Gerhardt!


May my condolences bring you comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of this loss. God bless you all!

Greetings

Klaus