Ivan L. Koch, age 81, of North Platte, passed away July 20, 2014 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. Ivan was born September 11, 1932 in Beadle County, South Dakota, to Vernon A. and Ella (Sass) Koch, the eldest of six children. He attended a rural elementary school in Beadle County, and graduated from Wessington (S.D.) High School in 1950. Ivan’s academic background included a BA degree in English from Huron College in 1954, an MA in English from the University of Wyoming in 1962, and advanced study in English at the University of Iowa from 1965 to 1967. His studies led him to teach high school English in South Dakota, Alaska and Kenai Community College (Alaska) and a member of the faculty of North Platte Community College until his retirement in 1996. Ivan also served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the American Legion. Ivan was united in marriage to Marlene (Haigh) Skinner in June of 1975 and with this union became a part of her family, daughter; Terry (Mark) Woods; son, Greg (Deb) Skinner; 10 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. In addition, family that will miss him, are brothers; Donald and Gerald Koch; sisters, Janice Jungemann, Judy Nelson, and Janette (George) Kleinfeld and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marlene on March 19, 2006, and a brother-in-law, Marlo Jungemann Funeral services will be 10:00 am Friday, July 25, 2014 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Polly Deppan-Williams officiating. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1 to 8pm Thursday with family receiving friends from 5 to 7pm. A memorial has been established in his memory.