Rodger L. "Spike" Koch - Obituary

Rodger L. "Spike" Koch, 79, of Chappell, NE went to be with his heavenly father on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30, Thursday, April 20 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chappell with Pastor Neil Carlson officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at the Chappell cemetery. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of arrangements.

Rodger Lee Koch, son of Grover and Lois (Archer) Koch was born in Chappell on February 22, 1938. He lived on a farm north of Chappell and graduated from Deuel County High School in 1955. Spike was drafted in 1955 into the United States Army and served 22 months in Germany until he received an honorable discharge due to his father going blind.

Spike bought the Chappell Tavern in 1962 and later renamed it Spike's Recreation. He served on the Chappell Chamber of Commerce at which time took over the Chappell Theatre, and he helped in running it. He was also very active in the Chappell Jaycee's.

In 1971 he met Linda and they were united in marriage on April 8, 1972. They had two daughters, Candice Jo and Darci Dianne.

After selling the tavern and liquor store, he worked numerous jobs in retail sales. Upon retirement he enjoyed working at the golf course part time for ten years. He was also a trustee at the Zion Lutheran Church for many years.

Spike was extremely loving and proud of his family. He spent many hours taking his grandkids for drives, playing cards and games with them, and just enjoying family time. Spike also enjoyed riding his scooter, helping neighbors with mowing, and playing endless cribbage games with his special buddies.

Baseball was also a huge part of Spike's life. He played many positions for the town team, coached youth teams, enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play ball, and was a huge Yankee fan.

Spike is survived by his loving wife, Linda, of 45 years; daughters, Candice (Roger) Hodges of Chappell, and Darci (Duke) Schneider of Chappell; 2 grandsons, Gunnar and Oakley Hodges; 4 granddaughters, Tracy Hodges, Abbie, Emma, & Josie Schneider; 2 great-granddaughters, Kaynslea and Kierrah; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Lois Koch; sisters, Harriett Koch and Betty Forsyth; grandsons Trevor Lee and Shayden Lynn; and great-grandsons Malakai, and Thiago.