Letha Lorraine Koch

Letha Lorraine (Lange) Koch of rural Bland was born April 10, 1934, to Virgil and Eulah (Groff) Lange.  She departed this life on April 29, 2020, surrounded by family at the age of 86.

On November 28, 1954, Letha was united in marriage to Herbert William Koch and to this union eight children were born - Galen Koch of Bland, Gaylene (Steve) Wells of Rolla, the late Dan (Caryl) Koch of Bland, Dana (Chesley) Heck of Piedmont, Alabama, Danielle (Leon) Tuepker of Higbee, Glenn (Dana) Koch of Bland, Alan Koch of Bland, and Alesia Tibbetts of Belle.

Letha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son (Dan Koch), and brother (Lee Vern Lange).  Those left to mourn their loss include her remaining children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren - Alex Lange, Bradley Wells, Shannon (Chad) Davis, Megan (Jake) Tucker, Emily, Natalie, & Wil Koch, Taylor N. Tuepker, Ethan (Taylor P.) Tuepker, Kelsey & Olivia Koch, Abby (Christopher) Lawrence, Jacob & Phoebe Tibbetts, 8 great grandchildren - Dayton Lange, Brady & Bryce Snoderly, Bailey  Davis, Aubrey, Easton, Lakin, and Zach Tucker, foster great granddaughter Danielle, nephew Shawn (Sarah) Lange, and numerous Koch nieces and nephews.

Letha was a long-time member of Pilot Knob Baptist Church and was baptized at the age of twelve in November 1946 in the creek below the church.  She loved singing in the church choir and listening to and singing hymns.  She was famous for her kindness, writing letters, meticulous embroidery, and homemade pies.  Her door was always open, she always had a smile on her face, and there was always an extra plate for company at meal time.  She loved her friends and family, especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and provided a loving Christian example for everybody that met her.

Letha worked at various jobs throughout her life including Deb’s Shoe Factory in Owensville, domestic engineer, Head Start in her home, Kingsford Charcoal, writing the Fuersville Forum column for the Belle Banner, and Home Health Aide, making friends everywhere she went.  She will be sorely missed by every life she touched.

Due to the pandemic, private family services will be held. Interment will be in the Feuersville Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Feursville Cemetery Fund, Central Missouri Hospice, or Maries County R-II Scholarship Foundation.