Dawn Marie Koch of Waupaca, age 51, died on Friday, June 26, 2015 at home.
She was born July 30, 1963, seventh child to Edmund and Janice (McIntyre) Koch. Most of her life was lived in Central WI. For one year she lived in Kaduna, Nigeria, Africa, working in a Swiss Flour Mill. She loved to cook for fun and profession. In summers she would feed 170 kids a day at Pine Lake Lutheran Camp. The last restaurant she worked at was Morning Star Café in Amherst, for her brother. For two years she danced across Wisconsin as Wisconsin’s very own Polka Queen, promoting the official state dance at parades, festivals and TV shows. Dawn helped many people and was the “go to girl” when you needed a friend. She was light hearted, caring and fun loving.
Dawn was preceded in death by her father, Ed Koch, stepfather, Red Barnhart, and friend, Sherry Rose. She is survived by her best friend, Ponch; daughter, Gabrielle Hungerford of Iola; son, Matthew Koch of Wild Rose; granddaughters, Zoey and Tilly Koch; son at heart, Jason Pierce Rose; mother, Jan Barnhart of Waupaca; siblings: Deborah Mc Llarky, Lori Arneson, Cindy Nowlin, Mike Koch, Alan Koch, Wendy (Dave) Sellier, Brian (Amy) Koch and Kelly (Gina) Koch; nineteen nieces and nephews, 10 great-nieces and nephews, Tim Hungerford and Carl Lewellen.
A Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 5 p.m. at Brainerd’s Bridge Park in Waupaca. Please bring your own lawn chair. The Maple Crest Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.