Homer Alaska - Obituaries

Feb. 4, 1935- March 2, 2011

Anchor Point resident Melva Karen Koch, 76, died March 2, 2011 at her home near Anchor Point.

Memorial services were held March 5, 2011, at the Light House Community Church in Anchor Point. Pastor Milt Michener officiated.

Mrs. Koch was born Feb. 4, 1935, in Colton, Ore. She graduated from Sandy High School in Sandy, Ore. She worked for Far West Federal Bank in Gresham, Ore., from 1978 until her retirement in 1992. She moved to Alaska in 1994.

Mrs. Koch was very active in women's ministry. In the early 1970s she was involved in the Touch Beauty Radio Station and helped lead Koffee Klasch in Gresham. In 1950, she sang in the choir for the Billy Graham Crusade. She was also involved in the Youth For Christ and played piano for many churches throughout her life. Mrs. Koch's hobbies included playing the piano and crocheting. She also loved spending time with her 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandkids. She was a wife and mother and virtuous woman. As it states in Proverbs 31:28, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

Mrs. Koch was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Paul Hill Jr. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Donald Koch; sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Paula Koch; Doug and Valerie Koch; and Ron and Lydia Koch, all of Anchor Point; Bob and Kathy Koch of Lenwood, Calif.; and Brad and Lisa Koch of Valdez; daughter and son-in-law, Colleen and Jim Wooley of Kenai; brother and sisters-in-law, Lauren and Pricillia Hill of Sandy, Ore.; and Barbara Hill of Boring, Ore.; 20 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse.