Barbara A. Koch

Wichita-Barbara Koch passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 4, 2016. She was a resident of Severy, Kansas, and was born to Steven and Almeda Church in Syracuse, Kansas February 26, 1936. Barbara was married to Dedrick “Rick” Koch for 62 years. Theirs is a true love story that has been an inspiration to their family. They married young and struggled in the early years having two kids before they were even out of college. Their adventures took them to Lawrence and Hays in Kansas, followed by time in Craig, Colorado, and Boston, Massachusetts. They returned to the homeland of Kansas in 1964. They lived in Wichita, Benton, and, most recently, Severy. Barbara was always there for her children and grandchildren showing great love for all of them. She did everything from packing school lunches to hosting dozens at holiday dinners. She trekked all over the country to watch hundreds swim meets, football games, baseball games, and basketball games. It just wasn’t right if Grammy and Papa weren’t there to watch. She loved all sorts of arts and crafts, but her true love was making quilts. She made a quilt for everyone in the family. The puzzle of sewing together bits of cloth into intricate patterns was a source of her inspiration and joy. She also taught math at Coleman Junior High and The Independent School. Barbara is survived by her husband, Rick, and three children Jay, Sara, and Cory. Jay Koch (Los Lunas, New Mexico) is married to Nancy Gage, and their children are Amber Teal (married to Sheldon Teal) and Dean Staley (married to Terry Staley). Barbara’s five great-grandchildren are Tracie, Charlie, Ella, Kennedy, and Owen. Sara Jernigan’s (Benton) surviving children are Samantha, Alexis, and Talon Jernigan. Cory Koch’s (Severy) children are Chandler and Brandon Koch. Barbara also has a sister, Judy Marshall (Salina), and a brother, Ed Church (Lawrence). Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Almeda Church. Rick and Barbara lost a 7 year old daughter, Dedra, in 1962 and a 6 year old granddaughter, Gabrielle Jernigan, in 2007. Both of those losses were carried heavy in her heart forever. We will all miss her. Memorial Services and Celebration of Barbara’s life will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2016 in the Unity Church, 21st and Oliver, Wichita. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Unity Church, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, PO Box 41, Greensburg, Kansas 67054.