On Sunday, November 27th, 2022, Edward James Koca entered peacefully into the presence of Jesus and the Kingdom of heaven while at home with his beloved family. Ed was born May 25th, 1936 to Edward and Alice (Matzke) Koca in New Lisbon at his grandmother Matzke's home. Ed graduated from Elroy High School, and went on to attend UW River Falls, graduating with an Agricultural Education degree in 1959. Ed also faithfully served our country by serving in the Army National Guard for 13 years. Ed spent 13 years working for EcoLab in St. Paul Minnesota and in California. During his 9 years in California, Ed fathered four children and in 1972 moved his family to Wisconsin after purchasing the Graber farm in Monticello. He operated a successful dairy farm there for 23 years. On July 5th, 1985, Ed married Karen Weber and gained 3 additional children. In 1994 Ed and Karen sold the farm and moved into Monticello where they have resided to this day.
Like Jesus, Ed was a servant-leader who filled many roles in our community not only bringing wisdom and integrity to every role, but also the costly sweat equity to get things done. Ed served for 12 years on the Monticello School Board, 8 years on the Monticello Village Board, and volunteered actively at the Lake Montesian Restoration project. Ed also was instrumental in the creation of the Montesian gardens, from casting vision to laying of one brick at a time. Ed was an active member and volunteer at Washington Reformation UCC since 1984 and helped facilitate the building renovations and expansions there.
Ed felt most alive being one of God's farmers.
Ed is preceded in death by: parents, brother Lester, and daughter-in-law Sally Koca.
Ed is survived by his wife Karen, two sisters: Katherine Vopelak and Patricia Koca and seven children: Sondra (Jeff) Mosurinjohn; Dawn (Dan) Pederson; Barry (Elaine) Koca; Sherylin (Tracy) Jordan; Tammy (Scott) Horn; Shauna (Navid) Abbassi; and Troy (Stephanie) Loether. Ed was Grandpa to seventeen grandchildren: Spencer, Cory, Jeremy, Tyler, Brandon, Jillian, Brittney, Thomas, Haley, Megan, Amber, Nathalie, Tiara, Tianna, Chloe, Isaac and Ephraim. Ed was Great Grandpa to four precious little ones: Jadyn, Brielle, Haisleigh, and a great grandson on the way whose middle name will be Edward.
A celebration service to honor Ed's life will be held on Saturday, December 10th at 12:00 noon at Washington Reformation UCC, N6026 Church Road, Monticello, WI with Pastor Troy Loether presiding. A visitation will precede the service starting at 9:30 a.m. at the church.
A memorial fund has been established in Ed’s name to benefit the Monticello community.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus, WI is assisting the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.
