Arlyn C. Koecher

September 26, 1939 – March 7, 2025
Arlyn Chester Koecher was born on September 26th, 1939, to Chester and Alice (Strehler) Koecher on the family farm in Greenfield, MN. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover, MN, where he was baptized and confirmed. He attended country school ½ mile from his home and was a graduate of Rockford High School. He married the love of his life Katherine (Kathy) Giese in1961, and by coincidence, their confirmation verse happened to be the same – Psalm 37:5. They were blessed with three children, Kevin, Darcey, and Steven. Arlyn farmed with his dad until the dairy cows were sold in the early 1980s, and the tillable land was rented out. Arlyn then got his first job off the farm at AK Auto in Corcoran, MN. Afterwards, he went on to work as an equipment operator at Greenworks Tree Farm for many years. He then went on to work at Truman Welters in Buffalo, MN delivering farm equipment. Arlyn wound down his career helping his good lifelong friend, Ron Daluge, with his lawn mowing service. At the age of 22, Arlyn began playing his accordion with a group called The Toppers, consisting of his cousin, Darwin Koecher, and Tim Dalbec. He later played with The Blazers, Ambush, and most recently The Mellow Knights, where they entertained primarily at nursing homes. Some of his favorite things to do included playing Euchre, 500 and putting together jigsaw puzzles. He added joy to many with his easy smile, humor and fun-loving nature.
Arlyn is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Alice, his sister Vernita Oestreich, brother-in-law Willard Oestreich, parents-in-law Waldemar and Caroline Giese, and brother-in-law Virgil Wagner.
He is survived by his wife Kathy, children Kevin (Donna) Koecher, Darcey (Kevin) Karst, and Steven (Lara) Koecher; seven grandchildren, Tammy (Matt) Frischmon, Jenny (Noel) Clary, Alyssa (Ben) Diestelmeier, David Koecher, Jacob (Lindsey) Karst, Kelly Karst, and Daniel (Mari) Koecher; nine great-grandchildren, Leah, Michael, and Kendall Frischmon, Gabriel, Ariadne, and Kinsley Diestelmeier, Lydia and Nora Koecher, and Arlyn Clary; sisters-in-law Edie Wagner, Fern Boyer, and Leah Wandersee as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Funeral Services for Arlyn Koecher will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover. Pastor Luke Schmidt will officiate.
Interment will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Hanover.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 13th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. AT THE CHURCH. Further visitation will be held on Friday morning, March 14th one hour prior to services.
Casket Bearers will be Daniel Koecher, David Koecher, Jacob Karst, Matt Frischmon, Ben Diestelmeier and Noel Clary.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com