Mary "Peggy" Koch

Mary Margaret "Peggy" Koch, 89, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, went home to her Lord and Savior, and to her devoted and ever-faithful husband, on June 11, 2023. She left this world with her family by her side, and is now made whole and perfect, and is at peace. Peggy was born November 6, 1933 in Waukegan, Illinois to Charles and Mary (Jackson) O'Hara. She married her beloved husband Gustave Koch on November 28, 1952 in Waukegan, and shared 57 years of life and marriage together, at first living in New Jersey, then moving to Oklahoma upon retirement to be with their daughter's family as grandparents. In addition to keeping home and raising her three children, Peggy was an avid seamstress, making many articles of clothing for her family over the years, along with linens, curtains, and other furnishings for the home--and the best ever Halloween costumes, for both the children and parents in the family. Peggy was always an especially creative person, and in retirement she pursued needlework crafts, painting, and basket work, creating beautiful works of art that adorned her family's home, as well as the homes of the recipients of many gifts she made for extended family and friends. As a spouse, Peggy always had a desire to contribute to the family's income, and as such wore many hats, including as Tupperware party host and successful Amway distributor, eventually joining Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals, where for many years she was a valued member of the administrative team in the clinical laboratories. As a mother, Peggy was a booster in every one of her children's' extracurricular activities: marching band, orchestra, sports, and more. When her daughter became a Brownie, Peggy became a Troop Leader. When her older son joined Cub Scouts, she again opened their home to the group as a Den Mother. And when her younger son took up soccer, she was an enthusiastic soccer mom. Peggy served the Lord as a Deacon in the Presbyterian church, where she was also active in Bible studies, koinonia fellowship, couples group, and church social and community service functions. Beloved by her original family as a child, and by the family she created as an adult, Peggy was a loving and supportive mother, an equal and collaborative partner in her marriage, a loyal friend, and the keeper of family memories. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three of her five siblings: sisters Charlotte Ann Koch, Judith Anne Stout, and Shirley Mae Breymen; her niece Theresa Mary Koch, and grandson William Harold Chastain. Peggy is survived by her son Hans Christian Koch of Golden Valley, MN; daughter Pamela Darcy Chastain and husband James Harold Chastain of Porter, OK; son Karl Ernest Koch and wife Sarah Alexis Koch of Kellyville, OK; sister Barbara Jean Sigg of Ohio; brother Charles Joseph O'Hara of California; grandchildren Patrick Ronald Bladen of Owasso, OK, Laura Margaret Crawford and husband Benjamin Andrew Crawford of Stillwater, OK, and Donita Kay Myers of Porter, OK; great-grandchildren Hadley Kate Bladen, Derick Allen Myers, and Cheroko Lang Myers; great-great-grandchildren Ryatt Allen Myers and Creadyn Faith Myers; along with other family members and friends. A family conducted memorial service will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 9:30 am in Saint Simeon's Chapel at Saint Simeon's Senior Community, 3701 N Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Tulsa, OK, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 pm at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, OK.

Mary "Peggy" Koch

November 6, 1933 - June 11, 2023