Irene M. Koch

Irene Mildred (Hemeyer) Koch, 85, of Hope Missouri passed away Saturday February 28, 2009 at St Mary's Medical Center in Blue Springs Missouri. Irene was born at her grandmother's home in Mudcreek Missouri on November 10, 1923 to the late Louis Oswald and Lillian (Niewald) Hemeyer. Most of her life she lived in the Hope area.
On April 30, 1944 she was married to Clarence Edward Koch at Salem Hope Presbyterian Church where she was a life-long member. Clarence preceded her in death on October 14, 2004. She and Clarence were married for sixty years and had three children Virginia, Marilyn and Alan.
She and Clarence were very active in their church as their relationship with God was very important to them. This was instilled into their children and demonstrated in many ways to friends and family in the community. Irene was a children's Sunday School teacher, member of the Ladies Aide as well as an avid and skilled quilter. Other skills she was known for included her cooking and gardening. Many from the community benefited from both.
Irene was a model wife, mother and grandmother. With her quiet and gentle spirit she impacted many. Whether by sending cards for key events in someone's life, remembering and preparing favorite dishes for family, showing hospitality by welcoming people into her home or providing help/care for those going through difficult times, she demonstrated God's love working through her.
Irene was very proud of her family. The manner in which she invested in the lives of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was an inspiration and blessing to them. After her husband's death she amazed everyone by staying on the family farm and remaining active in the community.
Survivors include, one son Alan Koch and his wife Carol of Lee's Summit, Missouri, two daughters, Virginia McAuley and her husband Mark of Kansas City Missouri, Marilyn May and her husband Leonard of Grain Valley Missouri, eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, a brother Wil Hemeyer and his wife Jeanne of Beach Park Illinois, and one half-brother Melvin Hemeyer and his wife Adelene of Morrison, Missouri. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a step-brother Herbert Hemeyer and step-sister Martha (Hemeyer) Eikermann.
Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Morton Chapel in Linn, Mo.
Funeral Services will be 11AM Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Salem Hope Presbyterian Church in Hope, Mo. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.