Colton Alan Koch passed away on February 7, 2022, in Mankato. He was born August 27, 1994, to Michelle Hammer and Kevin Koch.
Colton was an energetic child, sometimes even a little mischievous. Colton spent many summers during his early years visiting his grandparent’s farm and later attended elementary school in Hutchinson. In 2009, Colton traveled a path that brought him to the home of Bob and Linda Gibson in Kensington.
Colton graduated from Thunder Ridge High School in 2013. He worked several jobs during his high school years, but one of his favorites was working for Levin Farms. He was so proud of his work that he had to have a senior picture taken in front of a cornfield that he had planted.
In 2014, Colton became a father with the birth of his daughter Carmen. In 2017, Colton met the love of his life, Kristen Clark. On July 4, 2018, they became engaged and began to build their life together in Topeka and later moved to Mankato. They added their daughter, Karter in 2019 and their son, Colton II in 2021to their growing family.
Besides work, he loved cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas University Jayhawks, rebuilding cars and collecting guns. Colton worked a variety of jobs, before he took a keen interest in law enforcement and wanted to follow in the footsteps of his dad, Bob. Colton joined the Jewel County Sheriff's Department in December of 2019 and graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in August of 2020.
Colton is survived by his fiancee, Kristen of the home; three children Carmen, Karter, and Colton II, parents; Michelle and John Whitehead of Satanta, Leon Kevin Koch of Hutchinson, and Bob and Linda Gibson of Kensington; two sisters, Nicole Coates of Manhattan and Malorie Gibson of Jacksonville, Florida; six brothers; Robbie Gibson of Cozad, Nebraska, Tyler Morrish of Kensington, Jordan Kirk of Jacksonville, Florida, Drew Kirk of Southern California, Kris (Megan) Whitehead of Joplin, Missouri, and Cody (Paige) Whitehead of Joplin, Missouri; Grandparents, Ruth and Chris Hammer of Sublette and Reta Griffin of Phillipsburg; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and too many friends to count. He is preceded in death by a brother, JT Coates; Grandparents, Mary Delavan, Elvin Lambert, Fredrick and Shirley Koch; and Great Grandparents, Robert and Betty Hammer, Fred and Marge Wachs; and an uncle, Steven Gibson.
A celebration of Colton’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the First St, John’s Lutheran Church in Kensington with Pastor Dave Hutson presiding. There is no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Colton Koch Memorial Fund. and may be sent to Kristen Clark, %Bob & Linda Gibson, 520 S Kansas,Kensington, Kansas 66951.
Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.