Ruth Koch

Ruth Marie (Beutel) Koch of Tremont, 87, passed away November 12, 2022.

She was born June 14, 1935 in Tremont to William H. and Rosina Pflederer Beutel.  Ruth married Vernon S. Koch on June 2, 1996. He preceded her in death on April 20, 2019.  She often said with fondness, “After 42 years I retired from Caterpillar and then promptly gained a family”.

Ruth turned her life to the Lord at an early age and was a member of the Tremont Apostolic Christian Church for many years.  Her Godly example was a blessing to all who knew her. 

Ruth often expressed her appreciation for the warm acceptance into the Koch Family.  The feeling was quite mutual.  Surviving are her step children who loved her dearly; Joe (Sandy) of Ellington CT, Jill (Greg) Wagner of Goodfield, Justin (Marcia) of Morton and Judy (George) Miller of Washington.  Through marriage Ruth quickly became “Grandma” to six small grandchildren with whom she enjoyed many blessed hours together.   They are Ellie (Brett) Gramm, Kathy (Adam) Herrmann, Beth Wagner, Ben (Kyra) Koch, Tori Mortensen and Logan (Cordin) Koch.  More recently, her heart was often warmed by the visits from seven great grandchildren.  Ruth’s surviving sisters and brothers include Helen Zimmerman, Barbara Moser, Annette Schambach, Alvin (Carol), Fred (Jeannette), and Philip (Darlene) Beutel and one sister-in-law Eunice Beutel.  She faithfully wrote to them weekly through the decades.  Ruth had a very special life-long connection with her many nieces and nephews.  She was one who never forgot a birthday or anniversary card and that continued with her many great nieces and nephews as well.  This love for others didn’t stop with family.  She was a woman who was loved by many because she shared her love abundantly. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Mary Eisenmann and Nancy Koch, a brother David Beutel, and brothers-in-law: Jim Koch, Lee Eisenmann, Ray Moser, Ernie Schambach, Roy Zimmerman, and Cleo Koch.

She and Vernon enjoyed working alongside each other at their farm southeast of Tremont where they entertained many at “The Granary”.  Being with family was always an important part of Ruth’s life and she relished being a Mother and Grandma to her family.   She and Vernon enjoyed putting on the annual Threshing Day at their farm each summer where Ruth’s smile and graciousness towards others will be missed. 

Her funeral will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Apostolic Christian Church in Tremont.  Ministers of the church will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Tuesday at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall and from 9:00 to 9:45 am Wednesday at the church.  Burial will be in Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Tremont.  Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to: Midwest Food Bank - N.E. Div or Restmor in Morton.

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