Helen Irene (Morgan) Koch, RN, 89 of St. Joseph, passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at a local hospital.
Born in Hamburg, IA, on March 8, 1932. she grew up at Lebanon, Mo. near Bennett's Springs and graduated from Lebanon High School, in 1950.
She came to St. Joseph to study nursing and met husband, Edward William Koch and was married April 9, 1951.
Returned to Nursing School at Missouri Western State University , Graduated with Associate Degree in Nursing in 1984. Worked at Savannah Medical Clinic for a total of 26 years.
Shady Lawn Nursing Home; Orlyn Lockard, M.D; Methodist Medical Center; Kenton Freeman, M.D.
She retired in her early 70's. Her happiest work experiences were in doctor's offices, especially as office assistant and surgical scrub nurse for J. L. Villahermosa, MD, FACS.
She was a Charter member of Pony Express Iris Society, Life member in American Iris Society; Member of BuAnCo Gardeners, Past District Director of Northwest District of Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri, Life member of Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri and Member of YWCA investment Club
Member of Maxwell Heights Church since 1993. Held many offices there. Elder of Board of Sessions for 3 terms. Life time Elder, member of Women's Association, Leader of Maxwell Heights Prayer Warriors, Chair person of Maxwell Heights Ruth Taylor Memorial Education Fund.
She was preceded in death by parents, Bill and Elsie Morgan; Husband, Edward William Koch, Brothers: William Frederick Morgan; Kenneth Howard Morgan; Donald Dean Morgan James Dale Morgan; Sister-in-law, Nellie Morgan, brother-in-law James Roper.
Survived by Children: Robert Edward (Teri) Koch, Leslie Diane (David) Nichols, Kelley William (Mary) Koch; grandchildren: Jessica Chiapputo; Jordan Emily Koch; Ashley Colleen (Cale) Clark; great grandchildren; Ezekial Edward Koch, Rider Rhys Chiapputo and Baby Clark.
Siblings, Mildred (Ervil) Climer; Donna Roper; Kathryn (David) Morgan; Sisters-in-law: Sally Morgan and Delma Morgan and many, many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service, 11:00 AM, Monday at the Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel where the family will receive friends 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Sunday. Interment; Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Maxwell Heights Church.
