November 3, 1934 – January 16, 2025
at the age of 90 years: Ivan Christian Koch born in Langenburg, SK passed away peacefully in his sleep in Salmon Arm
IIvan was a long time resident of Salmon Arm having moved from Hinton, AB to Tappen in 1986. He was a business man owning and operating M&K Radiator and Engine Rebuilders. Ivan and his wife Bernice lived in Tappen for many years and hosted many get togethers, family functions, and special occasions at their beautiful property which brought them both a lot of joy. One thing they both looked forward to was having their granddaughters every year and making each summer magical with visits to Harold Park, Margaret Falls, trips to Saskatchewan, visiting family, and swimming lessons in the Shuswap.
Bernice passed away in 2001 after a battle with cancer and in 2002 Ivan moved to Ravencroft in Salmon Arm and got a new lease on life with his partner, Janice Wagner. They lived there until 2015 then moved to McIntosh Grove where he stayed until his passing.
He was well known in the community for his accordion playing. He would often perform either in a band or solo in many places around Salmon Arm. His love of music shone brightly when he played. Music was a true passion of his and he never stopped learning new songs, techniques or ways to feed his passion. He had an infectious laugh and always had a joke ready to tell. His ability to remember every joke he’d ever heard was amazing and he had such a wonderful sense of humour which we will all miss greatly. He adored his partner Janice and all of their many adventures and felt truly blessed to have her by his side. Ivan passed peacefully in his sleep which was his wish and we are grateful that he was able to go the way he wanted.
He leaves behind his partner Janice Wagner(Salmon Arm, BC), his daughter Donna Kostiuk and partner Dave Robinson(Chilliwack, BC), his granddaughters Airin Kostiuk and partner Brent Hamborg(Edson,Ab), Leah Kostiuk and partner Travis Potts(Leduc, AB) and 6 great grandchildren Skyla, Olivia,Odin, Cohen, Cooper, and Harper as well as Janice’s family members and friends from Salmon Arm, Hinton and everywhere in between. He also leaves behind his siblings Ron(Paulette) Koch, Langenburg, Sask. and Elaine(Don) Smith, Yorkton, Sask.and Vern(Elaine) Koch, Hinton AB.
He was predeceased by his first wife Bernice Koch, his son Rick Koch, his brother Jerry Koch and his parents George and Minnie Koch.
He requested that there be no service held although his immediate family will have a celebration of life in the spring.
He will be forever missed and his life will be celebrated in all of the wonderful memories and love he left behind. The impact of his kindness, musical talent, humour and generosity will carry on through those that knew and loved him.
A big thank you to his doctor, Dr. Levin for his exceptional care and to his wonderful friend Clyde Bolstrom for all the love, care, support and friendship he gave Ivan.
Keep smiling, laughing and playing music so we can hear it from the heavens. Love you so much!!
I am so sorry to hear about his passing…I have wondered if something happened!! 🙁 I didn’t know him for very long but we had the best visits when I would give him his pedicures!!! I’ll miss his stories of his family annd his music days and his biggest smile! Hugs sent to all his family!
Rest In Peace Ivan
Our wonderful brother and brother in law has gone to sleep in peace.
Remembering the cross country skiing in Hinton and downhill skiing we did at Marmot basin by Jasper.
Great to be in the same town starting in 1965 when I drove his log truck hauling wood to the pulpmill here in Hinton. Always proud to listen to his music at Pine Valley Lodge where he played Residents still waiting to hear you again but we can hear you from heaven now.
Our love to you Ivan
Besides missing Ivan in person we will also miss the many phone calls between us over the years. Usually weekly, and of course will miss our mutual interest in music. We missed the annual visit last summer when Janice came alone, and it likely was Ivan preparing us for what has just happened.
He will be in our memories until our time comes , and we hope that we will be able to swap jokes and musical problems and solutions again some day.
We had our usual 40 minute phone visit just two days before Ivan left us and i will always be grateful for that.
Rest in peace good friend.
I’ll always remember his big smile and his jokes! We demanded one at every visit to the Oncology Clinic. Such a warm and friendly man. You remain one of my favorite patients. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Rest easy, Mr. Koch.
Our dear brother,brother in law,uncle and great uncle was an uplifting inspiration in our lives.His wonderful gift of music,interesting conversations of lifes’experiences and of course his array of jokes that he shared with us Ivan had an exceptional personality who lifted our spirits even though he had his own health issues.
Our love,prayers,and hugs of comfort to Janice,Donna,Airin,Leah and families.
Brother Ron Paulette and families
Dearest Dad,
God I miss you so much already and it is only been a little over a week. I feel like your spirit is guiding me and that gives me comfort. You have been such an amazing dad and I will cherish the alone time we had this past summer when we made cabbage soup and it was 35 Celsius outside lol. We talked about the past and regrets, history, and the joys we shared like your granddaughters and your great grandchildren. We were so fortunate to have spent your 90th birthday together this fall and the whole family was there. Dave and I were lucky to be here at Christmas time and although I got sick Christmas evening I remember the care you took of me and the hugs, the holding of my hand. You and I talked about death , dying and that I wished for you to go in your sleep and I would be terribly sad I would also be happy. I told you if you wanted to go I would be okay. I believe you made sure we were all taken care of me, Janice, Leah, Airin, and all the great grandkids before you left and I am so grateful to you for that. I will miss you at our family get togethers as you were the nucleus of that. The last 2 family get togethers we had you said it was perfect and you have won’t havechanged a thing . I will see you smiling over your family as you were in life. Love you Dad forever and a day.
Rest in peace dear brother ..You are no longer in pain . I always treasured the reminiscing and all the information I got of those growing up years with Ivan , that we did in our phone calls . We will forever miss and love you . Keep that accordion going for all the angels in Heaven . Love from your Sister .