Joe Kosmach, age 89, of Albia, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA.
Joe was born on October 27, 1936, the youngest of six children born to John and Frances (Zarnik) Kosmach. Joe was raised on a farm near Lovilia, Iowa, until he was four. They then moved to Bluff Creek County, where he would live for the next 82 years. Joe attended Halfway Prairie & Lockman elementary school. He attended and graduated from Albia High School, class of 1955. He worked for a few months in Kansas and then returned to help manage the family farm. Joe was united in marriage to Velma Louise Carter on August 9, 1957. They were blessed with 2 children, a daughter Kathryn and son Steven.
Joe was a member and attended Avery Church. Besides farming, Joe also enjoyed working at the Albia Sale Barn for many years and in later years, he worked for local car dealerships driving cars. Joe cherished the time shared with dear friends at “The Office” (Hardees) and the friends and neighbors at Parkview Village where he lived the last 3 years of his life.
Joe is survived by a daughter, Kathryn (Kendall) Schuett of Bettendorf, IA; and a son, Steven (Scott) Kosmach of The Woodlands, TX; granddaughters, Sarah (Aaron) Houzenga of Bettendorf and Holly (Robert) Lala of Cedar Rapids; and great grandchildren, Madison and Sidney Houzenga and Jacob and Sophie Lala.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Joe’s family present to greet family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Teresa Miller officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Memorials have been established to the Avery Church and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA.
