Mary J. Koch

Mary Josephine Koch, daughter of Matt and Josephine (Sahlfeld) Pirotte, passed away on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the age of 96 years.
Mary lived her entire life in Cawker City, Kansas, except for several years during World War II. She attended St. Theresa's Academy and graduated from Cawker City High School in 1934. She earned a Normal Training Certificate in high school and taught for two years in a rural country school near Tipton. After leaving her teaching position, Mary was trained as a dental assistant and worked in Cawker City and later in Wichita. Following her marriage, she was primarily a homemaker, devoting herself to her husband and children. She was a skilled seamstress, spending many hours sewing clothing for her girls and even for their dolls. When her two youngest daughters entered school, Mary resumed working outside her home, accepting a position at Richardson's Manufacturing Company in Cawker City. She started working in the parts department in the shop and advanced to an office position, retiring in 1983 after 17 years of employment. She also volunteered as a "pink lady" at the hospital in Beloit for many years. Mary thoroughly enjoyed all of her jobs, took great pride in her work, and enjoyed sharing stories about her experiences with her children and grandchildren.
On January 29, 1946, Mary was united in marriage to Marvin Koch of Glen Elder, Kansas in Sts. Peter and Paul Parish House in Cawker City. To this union, six children were born – five daughters and one son. Mary and Marvin were privileged to celebrate 54 years of married life before Marvin's death on July 18, 2001. Throughout her life, Mary was a devoted wife and mother.
Mary was elected the first president of the newly organized Catholic Ladies Guild in 1946 and remained an active member of that organization until her death. She was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary. She also served on the Cawker City Library Board.
Mary and Marvin loved to dance and spent many happy hours dancing together both in dance halls and in the living room of their home. They also enjoyed the many trips that they took together and with their family. Mary worked diligently for her church and the Catholic Ladies Guild until her health no longer permitted her to help. She was a faithful member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church for her entire life. Mary was an avid bridge player. She truly loved the game and played as often as possible, even well into her later years. The friendships that she made through the game of bridge were deep, life-long, and precious to her.
Nothing brought Mary more joy than her family. The times she spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the happiest of her life. She loved their visits, phone calls, and cards and letters. She rejoiced in their happiness, shared in their sorrows, and celebrated their every accomplishment. They were always in her thoughts and in her heart.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, and her parents. She is survived by her six children – Jane Moore, Susan Scott, Dale Koch and his wife Reba, Becky Gruwell and her husband Alan, Judy Heidrick and her husband Mike, and Joyce Thille Pollard; 10 grandchildren – Erin Moore Miner, Cori Scott Stribling and her husband Curtis, Josh Scott, Jason Gruwell and his wife Brooke, Kelly Gruwell Flebbe and her husband Shawn, Ashley and Brenna Heidrick, Meghan and Sadie Thille, and Jake Pollard; 7 great-grandchildren – Caban Moore, Jessamyn and Jacquelyn Miner, Lindsey and Mallory Gruwell, Kendal Flebbe, and Taber Stribling - all of whom she was very proud. Other survivors include Mary's sister Catherine Odle, and her sisters-in-law Nadine Pirotte, Jeanice Pirotte-Fleskes, and Clema Koch Worden, as well as many dear friends, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 19 at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 PM Friday at the Church. The family will greet friends from 4:00 until the vigil service Friday at the Church. Memorials may be given to the American Legion Auxiliary Post #379 or Solomon Valley Hospice.