I just learned of Karl's passing. He was the intern at the University of Nebraska Student Center. We had many great memories, I recall my wife and I would go out with Karl and Joy to many campus and off campus activities. He is greatly missed.

Paul and Joyce Hansen

Karl was the Lutheran Campus minister in Fresno way back when... I loved him! He taught me so much about life and faith. I loved that when we went to the Chapel once a week for Eucharist he read to us ... always a pertinent story and always connected to our lives. Rest in peace, my friend.

I am so very sorry to hear of Karl's passing. My heart is breaking for his family's loss. He was like my big brother because I spent as much time at their home as my own. My prayers are with you all.

Love,

Kerry

Memories are something no one can take from you. Karls graduation picture brings back good memories that I will have forever.

I remember Karl very well from high school. He was always such a sweet guy and so very nice to know. I'm very saddened to learn he has passed at such a young age. My heart goes out to his family at this sad time.

I was on the same baseball team as Karl's son Ben in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade, and Karl was the team's assistant baseball coach. I also attended University Lutheran Church in Ames when I was an ISU student and Karl was the pastor up until 1999. I enjoyed his company and friendship throughout the years and I will miss him.

Kathy and Jerry,

Karl was a good friend and great colleague. His sharp wit and keen eye will be missed by all. May God bless the memory of Karl Koch!

Karl and I were good friends for the 14 years that I served in Lutheran Campus Ministry with him. We would meet up from across the country, and had an annual roommate arrangement, rooming together at Lutheran Student Movement new year's eve gatherings from Toronto to Los Angeles, DC to San Antonio. Sue Rothmeyer and Jean McCreery would join us and we all celebrated at least 10+ new years together... We laughed, talked about music, we heard all about the growth spurts of grandson Vinnie... Karl was an extremely proud father and grandfather.

I've missed him since our Campus Ministry days, and now I'll regret that we can never re-live those days in this lifetime. I'm glad that he died peacefully at home, and I will always remember my good friend. My blessings to all of his loved ones.

Dear Family and Friends of Karl,

I grew up in the Gloria Dei (Iowa City) Lutheran Church. For a time, I shifted to Zion Lutheran. However, when Karl took the Senior Pastor position at Gloria Dei, I and my wife Jean followed him. I served 6 years on the Gloria Dei Church Council, and was President for two terms. In that time, I got to know Karl well. He engendered respect for all members. One of his techniques was to conduct a personality profile test (eg. Meyers Briggs) to help the Council realize we are all different in many ways, but we need to respect one another for their differences and how they look at and deal with issues. Interestingly, my personality profile "test" was exactly the same as Karl's. I guess that is why I felt a close connection with him. We take in information in a holistic manner, make thoughts and decisions by intuition, rather than by rules and convention. I think this gift of Karl's helped him to be a spiritual leader of a diverse congregation.

I will miss Karl. The Congregation will miss Karl. I thank him for his gifts to the many members of Gloria Dei, our Iowa City Community, and all those he connected to in his prior ministries.

Thanks Karl, for all you do, have done, and will do.

Sincerely,

Kelley J. Donham

We have such fond memories of Karl at ULC. Not only was he a gifted actor and story teller, but a kind hearted soul and friend. He taught us to think outside the box about our faith, shared life lessons about being young leaders in the community, and created a sense of home away from home. Julie has fond memories of working in the office at ULC and being on stage with one of the greats. Karl officiated our wedding at EWALU and we shared many a laugh on our dinner cruise on the Mississippi. Karl has touched our lives in many ways and we will treasure our memories of our time we shared in his presence. Sending prayers of comfort and peace to all his family as you celebrate the unique and special person that Karl was.

Karl was a gifted storyteller that taught me more about my faith than I can even express. I value the time that I shared with him at ULC, and I know that he is in Heaven right now sharing stories and making people laugh. : )

Sorry about your dad Ben. Best wishes. God bless.

I think we will all remember Karl as a story teller. Tales of the small town churches and the tale of the Ragman will bring back vivid memories of his preaching. But his whole life told the story about the grace of God.

Please accept my sympathy and condolences. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, Cathy. Beth Peterson, NWJH retiree

Please accept our prayers and thoughts Catherine and children. Thank you for posting in the Ames Tribune. Our first thought was Karl was too young but then we never know what our calling will be. Karl will be missed by friends, parishioners and the acting community. He has touched many lives and will live in all of those lives and those to whom we share remembrances of Karl. Catherine and children we hold you in our hearts. Duffie and Bob Lorr

You will be missed Karl, but the love you showed to your family and friends will keep your memory alive. May God Bless Cathy and the kids as they navigate these rough waters...remember, Jesus can calm the waves. My love to you all.

I had the privilege of attending Gloria Dei during my graduate studies and very much appreciated his demeanor, his sermons, and the opportunity to serve as elector and assistant minister. My deepest sympathy to the family and to the community of Gloria Dei for the loss of a wonderful pastor, mentor, father, and friend.

Pastor Karl was a truly wonderful man and an incredible pastor. We were so blessed to have him marry us in 2009. His sermon on our wedding day was so personal and memorable - we still have wedding guests that can quote parts of his sermon! We thoroughly enjoyed his humor, caring demeanor, and unforgettable stories. Many of his sermon messages and quotes will forever stay in hearts. We especially love "Faith is not knowing where you are going, but going anyway." We send our prayers to his family. He will be deeply missed.

Karl and I worked together at a local church--he as Interim Associate Pastor and I as Parish Secretary, after he had left campus ministry and was trying to decide whether or not to go into parish ministry. It was a rough time to be on the staff as there were so many pastoral changes in a short time, but he and I supported each other through that. He was so kind, humorous, and at times very irreverent. I also remember driving through a blizzard to attend his and Cathy's wedding--we wouldn't have missed that happy event for anything. Karl will truly be missed by so many.

Pastor Karl was my pastor for 12 years. I had the privilege of being the assisting minister about once a month during this time. It was fun to be involved in the church service with him. The best part about his sermons was... he always made me laugh! I am really going to miss that. I am sorry to say that I will not be able to attend his funeral. I am out of town, visiting my mother in law, and I will not be back in time.

My deepest sympathy to Karl's family and friends. My closest associations with Karl were when he was campus pastor at Ames and I was the Iowa District (ALC) staff person who worked mostly closely with campus ministry. I remember him fondly and commend him and you to the loving care of our loving Lord, trusting in the promise that "whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

So sorry to hear about Karl's passing, we send our thoughts and prayers to his immediate family. We know that when death comes it is a bitter and hard pill to swallow, but we also must rejoice in the fact that we know Karl is going to heaven and his faith in God will make him a continuing shepherd for his flock. We should always remember the words from psalms, "yea though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for God is by my side" and surely the Lord will be with Karl, and he will be able to bask in the glories of heaven. Ann & I are sure that God will be by your side in this time of sorrow, and will always be there for all of you. We will be thinking of you, and keeping you in our prayers.

We have many fond memories of Karl from our time at Iowa State, including our wedding, of course.

Some of my favorite Beuchner quotes, starting with my most memorable from Karl:

Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving.

To be wise is to be eternally curious.

Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day's chalking.

It is as impossible for man to demonstrate the existence of God as it would be for even Sherlock Holmes to demonstrate the existence of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.

Marty and I send our deepest condolences to Anna, Cathy and to Karl's children and grandchildren. Losing a loved one is always hard, but losing a loved one during the holiday season makes it doubly hard. Karl was a good man who loved his family. We know he will be missed.

My deepest sympathies. Pastor Karl will be deeply missed.