Koch, Louisa 1855-1941

KOCH, PETER, PETERS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/6/2021 at 10:31:15

MRS. LOUISA KOCH CALLED BY DEATH LAST THURSDAY

Rites Held Sunday For Pioneer Resident Of Plymouth County

Mrs. Louisa Koch, a resident of western Plymouth County for the past fifty-nine years, passed away Thursday evening, April 24, 1941, at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 16 days. She had been in failing health for the past year or more.

Louisa Peter was born in Malterdingen, Baden, Germany May 8, 1855. , She was christened and confirmed in the Lutheran church there. She came to this country as a child with her parents, in 1868. They first located in Chicago, where they had friends, and later they settled in Cassville, Wis., where they resided until the death of her parents. Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death, she being the only surviving member of the family.

She was united in marriage with George Koch at Dubuque, Iowa, January 3, 1878. To this union were born two sons and one daughter, Dr. Geo. W. Koch, of Sioux City, Iowa; Fred Koch, of Guthrie Center, Iowa, and Mrs. Robert Ross, of Akron. Her husband was foreman of the woolen mills at Hanover, Ill., but on account of ill health gave that up and lived in Dubuque, where she met him. They lived there until 1882, when they decided, because of his poor health, to move onto a farm. In the spring of 1882, Mr. Koch purchased a farm west of Le Mars, and they came out here. He was stricken with small-pox in Le Mars and was quarantined there for six weeks. Because of his further weakened health, he decided not to go on the farm and purchased the City Hotel here in Akron (then Portlandville) in June, 1882, which they operated until Mr. Koch's death in November, 1896.

One year later Mrs. Koch was united in marriage with August Koch. They moved to his farm in Portland Township, east of Akron, and lived there until the spring of 1906, when they purchased the George Raish home in Akron and resided there until the death of Mr. Koch in 1933. Since that time she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Ross, in this city.

She leaves to mourn her departure her three children, three nieces, two nephews, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, also many friends and acquaintances. She was a sincere Christian woman, a member of the Lutheran church in Preston Township until her death. Devoted to her home and family, a kind, helpful and sympathetic friend and neighbor, she will be sincerely missed in the community in which she lived for so many years.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o 'clock in the Akron Baptist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. John Meyer. There were vocal solos by Mrs. Russell O. Ross, Rev. Meyer and Homer Jacoby, with organ accompaniment by Miss Charlotte Baker. Interment was in Riverside cemetery.

Relatives who came from out of town were: Dr. and Mrs. George W. Koch, of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Koch, of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Russell O. Ross, of Spencer, Iowa; Dr. Percy Ross, of Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Alfred Claeys, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. B. Seippel, of Cherokee, Iowa.

[Source: The Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, November 26, 1896; Volume 54, Number 38, Page 1 & 8]