Russ "Rusty" Kocha

Russell "Rusty" Louis Kocha, 77 after a three year battle following a debilitating stroke and congestive heart failure, walked, strong and steadily through the gates of heaven on October 17, 2016, at home, surrounded by family. He was born on August 27, 1939 in Milwaukee, son of the late Joseph and Edna (Soderberg) Kocha. Following high school, Russ completed a meat cutter's apprenticeship and managed meat departments for National and Kohl's Grocery Stores in the Milwaukee area. Russ met Janet Nelson, the love of his life, at Beloit Road Baptist Church in Milwaukee. The moment he ushered Jan to her seat, he knew this was "the one", and told the other ushers, "Hands off fellas! She's mine." On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1962, they were married at Ogema Baptist Church. That union was blessed with four wonderful children. In 1969, Russ and Jan packed up the family and moved to Tomahawk to begin the first of many business endeavors, the Dog 'N' Suds. This was followed by: Rusty's Grocery Stores in Wausau and Marathon City, Food City Warehouses in Schofield and LaCrosse, Ponderosa Restaurant and Motel, the Chuckwagon Restaurant and Interim Home HealthCare and Hospice all in Wausau. Russ was a successful entrepreneur with a strong business sense and a calculator brain. At times when the family dined in a restaurant; Russ would flip over his placemat and calculate the food costs to see who ordered the "biggest bang for their buck." His outgoing nature drew many to him. Russ' music ministry was an important part of his life, and his beautiful singing voice was an inspiration to many. Whether it was a corny joke or the story of a prank well played, Russ enjoyed making others smile. He loved spending time with family, which often included playing table games, especially cribbage. Singing in harmony whenever the family could gather around the piano was one of his favorite pastimes. His "Oh crumps!" will echo during Packer games for a long time. Russ was an avid fisherman and longed for one more trip to Canada where he landed his biggest musky. He also enjoyed bowling. Most of all, Russ had a burning passion to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone from folks at a wayside, to customers and staff at his businesses. The Kochas were founding members of Highland Community Church in 1984 and were very involved in Christian outreach. Russ is survived by his wife, Jan, Wausau, four children, Renee (John) Stokka, Schofield, Lisa (Grant) Lind, Somerset, Jeff (Joelle) Kocha, Wausau, Krista Kocha (FiancAC. Matt Knuth), Wausau, seven grandchildren, Tyler Stokka, Kylee (Kyle) Belan, Trissa & Sydnee Lind, Louis Kocha, Ben Martinez, Zeek Kocha, one sister, Jan Provost, Florence, WI, and in-laws, Barb Kocha, Florida, Larry and Helen Nelson, Wausau, Roger Nelson, Eau Claire, and Rev. Joy and Chris Nelson-Jeffers, Schofield, along with many other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Mike Kocha, and one brother-in-law, Hubert Provost. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 29, 2016 at Highland Community Church, 1005 N. 28th Ave., Wausau. Rev. Jeff Hinds will officiate. A luncheon and visitation will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund for the charities Russ held dear. We are so grateful for the exceptional care provided by Rachele Greenwood over the last few years and also to Michelle Nutt of Interim Hospice. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com