Douglas J. Koch

Douglas J. Koch, 62, a resident of Dalton, Ten Mile Lake, died Saturday, July 12, 2014.

He was born June 27, 1952 in Saint Paul to Fred and Helen (Clark) Koch. He graduated from Highland Park Senior High School in 1970 and attended college in Jamestown receiving a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Major Education, Physics and German.

On June 14, 1974 Douglas was united in marriage to Patricia Krieger at Voorhees Chapel at Jamestown College.

He taught in Maddock, ND and was the Principle at Dakota School in Arthur, ND. Doug and his family moved to Fergus Falls in 1983 where Douglas owned and operated Doug’s Frontier Amoco in Fergus Falls and in 1990 Pat’s Amoco in Alexandria. Doug also owned and operated Derek’s Sports in Fergus Falls and in Battle Lake. More recently, Doug worked from Lakes Country Service Cooperative until June 30, 2014 when he retired.

He was a member of Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, served on the Fergus Falls School District 544 School Board for 17 years. He was past president of the Kiwanis Otter Risers. He was also a member of the Ten Mile Lake Preservation Association, Upper Midwest Barefoot Water Ski Association, Minnesota Barefoot Water Ski Club and was past president and the treasurer for the American Barefoot Club. He served as scorer and homologater. Doug was the Tournament Director for various local and state regional and national tournaments. He served as Manager for the USA Teams in the World Barefoot Water Ski Tournaments in 2008 and 2010 and was co-tournament director for the World Barefoot Water Ski Tournaments in 1996 and 2000 that were held in Fergus Falls.

Preceding him in death was his father, Fred.

Doug is survived by his wife, Patricia of Dalton; son, Derek of Dalton; mother, Helen Koch of Barrett; sisters, Judith (Dick) Conroy of Elysian, MN and Marilyn Straka of San Francisco, CA; niece, Debra Conroy; nephews, Jeff Conroy and Rob Straka. He is also survived by aunts and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to American Barefoot Water Ski Club Scholarship Fund, N10347 Old Stage Road, Alma Center, WI 54611

At the family’s request, please dress casual (shorts and t-shirts)

Directions: The entrance to Barefoot Park – off of Lincoln Ave., go South on Buse Street. Continue over the railroad tracks into the Mid-Am Dairy parking lot. Please look for sign, turn right and go west onto dirt road. The road will end at park.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2014 at the Barefoot Park in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Dan Cole
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls