Gary Poch

Gary D. Poch, 66, passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Stewartville Care Center.

Gary Dean Poch was born on September 7, 1958 in Faribault, MN to parents Gerhardt and Darlene (Koger) Poch. Gary grew up in Faribault where he attended the Faribault Lutheran School. Later the family moved to Rochester, MN where Gary attended and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1976. He went on to work with his dad as a truck route driver for Schweigert and then later for Frito Lay. He then began working in car sales where he spent many successful years in both sales and management at various dealerships in Rochester. Gary then sold trucks for his uncle's business McDonough Truck Lines. Gary was married twice, in 1979, to Judy (Cocker) Chihak and the couple had two children, Bryce and Gina. In 2004, Gary was remarried to Sara Trygsted who he had two children with, Ethan and Lauren, before later divorcing.

Gary was known for being a very outgoing person in his early life. Family would jokingly make bets for how many people Gary would run into and need to stop and talk to when out and about. He had a talent for remembering people and making genuine connections with them. He enjoyed goose hunting and would also guide groups for goose hunting along with friends with Westline Guide Service. He also enjoyed ice fishing, and playing softball and broomball for many years.

Gary lived with type 1 diabetes, then suffered a series of strokes in the early 2000's which affected his ability to work and then eventually to drive. The strokes also affected his personality and the conversational ease he had always had, grew to be difficult. Gary valued his independence and was able to find ways to still have his fun. When he could no longer drive, friends and family came together to get him a mobility scooter. Had we known Gary would drive that scooter all over Rochester for miles until the battery ran out and some good samaritan would return him home, his kids may have thought twice about getting it for him. He loved his Diet Mountain Dew, Marlboro Menthols, Candy Crush and was always ready to go to the casino.

Gary is survived by his mother, Darlene Poch; 4 children, Bryce (Heidi) Poch, Gina (Ira) Newell, Lauren Poch and Ethan Poch; 2 grandchildren Aria and Reid Newell. He is preceded in death by his father, Gerhardt Poch.

A visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Pl. NW Rochester, MN 55901) A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Redeemer Lutheran Church (869 7th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904) with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery in Faribault, MN.

Memorials in honor of Gary may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Breakthrough T1D for diabetes research.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Poch family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.