Mary Ellen Koch
Mary Ellen Koch was born to Marion Reece and Helen Peter Gueck on Feb. 23, 1931, and departed from this life Oct. 3, 2021. She was the eldest of six children born to their marriage and spent most of her early years at the family farm west of Haxtun.
Music was a big part of her high school years. She played her father’s alto saxophone and excelled in her band and solo work. She also enjoyed business subjects and had thoughts of attending the University of Colorado to study business. Instead, after graduation from Haxtun High School in 1948, she chose to marry Merl Koch.
Merl and Mary had a long and happy marriage of 71 years. They lived on the Koch homestead south of Haxtun and there reared four children: Beverly, Gary, Laurie and Joanie. As a young bride, Mary Ellen began her education as a farm wife — helping with farm chores, taking care of livestock, running errands for machine parts, taking meals to the field and helping during harvest.
She managed to keep a spotless home and her children under control. She was constantly trying new recipes, making birthdays special and economizing to help her family. She learned to sew as an adult and made many pieces of clothing for her daughters. The children remember returning home from school to see her ironing laundry and the home smelling of freshly baked bread. Mary Ellen was always busy and always prepared.
Merl and Mary shared a love of music throughout their lives. They sang duets, participated in church cantatas, enjoyed concerts and had music playing in their home much of the time.
While in high school, Mary Ellen made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her faith was her source of strength throughout her life.
Merl and Mary Ellen were committed to rearing their children in a Christian home. To their family they passed on their knowledge of the Lord and their hope that their children would trust in him also. Mary Ellen leaves the priceless heritage of a praying mother to her family. She talked to God about their life situations and needs on a daily basis.
She was active in the Berean Bible Church as a teacher and musician. For several years she worked at Haxtun Community Bank and the flower shop before health issues dictated that she stop. She was always present when her children had school activities, and she was a vocal Bulldogs and Broncos fan.
Mary Ellen spent her final years in the Regent Park nursing home in Holyoke and the Haxtun Hospital Extended Care Unit. She was there because ministrokes took the use of her legs. Her family often commented that she never complained about her lot in life. It was hard for her to be away from her family and home, but she didn’t live with a negative spirit, which was a gift to her family. In many ways she was like her mother Helen Gueck, who, although she suffered many difficulties in life, was never heard to complain.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Merl; her parents; and brother, Kenneth Gueck.
She leaves her daughter, Beverly and husband Dean Anderson of Kingman, Kansas; son, Gary and wife Jeni Koch of Haxtun; daughter, Laurie and husband Arlan Scholl of Holyoke; daughter, Joanie and husband Mark Groshans of Holyoke; grandson, Ryan and Ashley Anderson; granddaughters, Torrey Brown, Karin and Levi Williamson, Kayte Koch, Leslie and Matt Jordan, and Kaylee and Jacob Woicik; eight great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters; sister, Marjory Blue; brothers, Larry and Lois Gueck and Howard and Jean Gueck; sister, Caroline and Mark McLaughlin; and many friends.
She will be remembered as a lady who loved her family and her Savior.
The memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Berean Bible Church in Haxtun.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Regent Park nursing home in Holyoke or Haxtun Hospital Extended Care Unit.
Baucke Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.