Norma Koch

Norma Koch, 89, of rural Mount Sterling, Ill., died at home Tuesday evening, July 10, 2018, after an illness of several weeks.

Norma was born May 23, 1929, near Timewell in Pea Ridge Township, Brown County, Ill., a daughter of Charles and Eulalia Fitzsimons Nolan. She received her education at the one-room Ebenezer School, Pea Ridge Township; St. Mary’s Academy, Mount Sterling; and Gem City Business College, Quincy.

She married Charles Koch on Nov. 3, 1951, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Mount Sterling, now Holy Family, where they were dedicated and devout parishioners.

Norma was tireless in her roles as a farm wife and mother of eight children. In later years, after a half-dozen of the children grew up and pursued off-farm endeavors, Norma pitched in on the farm, regularly handling calf-feeding chores well into her mid-80s.

She enjoyed baking, sewing, quilting and gardening -- pastimes she shared with her children and local youngsters during her years as a 4-H Club leader.

In addition to her husband, Charles, Norma leaves behind a large and loving family. They include:

Son Phil (Becky) Koch, of rural Mount Sterling, and granddaughters Dawn (deceased) and Danielle;

Daughter Ann (Brian) Cooper, of Dubuque, Iowa, and grandchildren Kate Cooper (Will Hoyer), Andrew (Josie) Cooper, Ellen (Adam) Broich and Greg (Kristin) Cooper;

Son Ken (Mary) Koch, of rural Mount Sterling, and grandchildren Patrick (Erica LiBritz) Koch, Daniel (Jackie) Koch, David (Meggie) Koch and Keith (fiancée Nicole Watje) Koch;

Daughter Jane (Mike) Morris, of Princeton, Ill., and grandchildren Aaron Morris, Laura Morris and Eliza Morris;

Son Dale (Barb) Koch, of Chapel Hill, N.C.;

Son Tom (Marcy) Koch, of North Mankato, Minn., and grandchildren Corynn (Dan) Scaminace, Jamie (Chris) Rohwer, Blake (Jessi Swanoski) Koch and Evan (Alison) Koch;

Son Tim (Vicki) Koch, of Leadville, Colo., and grandsons Charles Koch, Joseph Koch and Matthew Koch;

Son John (Deborah) Koch, of Evansville, Ind., and granddaughters Ashley (Clint) Caringer and Isabelle Koch;

Siblings Marilyn (Jim) Wort, Agnes (Richard) Redmond and Tom (Judy) Nolan; siblings-in-law Robert Koch, Joan Zurita, Sister Sara Koch, Rosie (Jim) Shank and Ruth Nolan.

Also surviving are 22 great-grandchildren, in whom Norma took great delight.

Also preceding Norma in death are siblings Marguerite Schneider and Bob Nolan; siblings-in-law Mary Ellen (Virgil) Ferrill, Don (Marylyn) Koch, Maurice “Bill” Koch, Patricia Koch, Charles Schneider, Dr. Victor Zurita and Betty Koch (who was also a special first cousin).

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mount Sterling, with burial in Mount Sterling Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Friday at Hendricker Funeral Home, Mount Sterling.  Friends may also call from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. The Rosary will be said at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s School, Pregnancy Resource Center, Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice or Brown County Against Cancer.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.

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