Carole Koch

Carole Eileen Thibault Koch, age 71, died at the family home on May 4, 2025 from complications from Klebsiella infection, liver and kidney failure.

She was born on Jun1, 1953 in Osborne Kansas to Ulysses and Millie Rose Thibault. She was significantly outnumbered in the family as she was the only daughter with seven brothers. The family legend is that as each brother was born, a telegram was sent to Grandparents in California. When Carole was born, a personal phone call was made. She often told the story that when she was in the early years of school, she would get bored and act up. She mentioned having to sit at a desk out in the hall.

After graduation from Osborne High School in 1971, she enrolled and attended Benedictine College majoring in Biology. Upon graduation with honors, she began her career at Gulf Chemical growing pests (insects and weeds). She would grow them and the rest of her team would see how effectively they killed them. Their primary plant focus was wheat.

She married James Koch in 1976 and moved to the Joplin/Webb City. Her long career began by working in a lab where she tested quality samples of various pet foods. She gradually moved up to be lab manager and formulation expert. She used her lab skills to refine pet food formulations to produce desired nutrition levels, reduced breakage, palatability and ingredient effectiveness.

During this time, she and several co-managers started a private label pet treat plant. She was instrumental in developing formulas for dog treats using peanut butter, apples, and sweet potatoes. The company created several specialty shapes that are still in use.

Later in her career she worked for Louis Dreyfus as North American Quality Mgr. She again used her lab experience to guide the company's labs to food grade certification in food oils.

Throughout her lifetime, an interest in nature and outdoors existed. She was considered the family expert on birds (watching and identification). This led to numerous birding trips to Belize, Costa Rica and numerous national wildlife areas.







She is survived by husband, James and son John (Jenifer). Two grandchildren Allison (Rose) and Cameron (Lynn). Four brothers; Ron (Linda), Stanley (June), Alan (Cindi), Dean (Mary).

Carole was preceded in death by her parents Ulysses and Millie Thibault, her siblings Dan, Duane, and Dale.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on June 20, at 11:00 a.m. in Manhattan Kansas at St. Thomas More church. A vigil will occur prior to the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will follow Mass, followed by internment in the Saint Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Osborne, Kansas.