Margaret "Marge" Koch

Margaret A. “Marge” Koch, 86, Bismarck, passed away on Jan. 1, 2021 surrounded by family. Due to COVID-19, private family services will be held. A service livestream will be available 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6 at this link: https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MjQ3MzMxNA==

Margaret A. “Marge” Koch was born on March 17, 1934 in Strasburg, the daughter of Ignatius “Scotty” and Lillian (Uhrich) Wald. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and was part of the first ever graduating class of St. Mary’s Central High School in 1952. Following her high school graduation, she attended nursing school at St. Alexius Hospital and lived in Boniface Hall. She went on to work as an LPN at St. Alexius Hospital. Shortly after starting her nursing career, she decided to stay home and start a family.

Marge married Robert “Bob” Koch in Bismarck on Sept. 4, 1954. Bob and Marge along with a business partner started the Scotty’s Drive-In in 1964. They started the Downtowner Restaurant in 1972 and operated it until 1978 when it was lost in a fire. Marge decided after most of her children had grown to renew her LPN license. She went to work at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home and was the nurse for the Benedictine Sisters at the Annunciation Priory. Marge loved being with family and friends and enjoyed many years at their cabin on Brush Lake. Her and Bob loved to travel the world to visit family and friends. Marge was given the nickname “Grandma Honey” by her grandchildren who were the pride and joy of her life. The last few years she spent her days at Edgewood on Dominion, where she had wonderful caretakers and made many friends.

Marge will be deeply missed by her family and friends who loved her very much. She is survived by her children Patrick (Lynette) Koch, Bismarck, ND; Deb Koch, Bismarck, ND; Thomas (Judy) Koch, Eagan, MN; Geri (Steve) Reinert, Williams, MN; Joseph (Jamie) Koch, Aldie, VA; Kenneth (Kelly) Koch, Thornhill, TN; and Mary (Rich) Aboody, Cambridge, MN. Her grandchildren Ryan (Natalie), Kortney (Kirby), Kinzie, Matthew (Kristin), Christopher (Tanya), Shane (Lindsay), Hope (Chris), Heidi (Andrew), Holly (Chris), Steve (Brooke), Alex (Desire), Samantha, Mariah, Jessica (Enrique), Jennifer (Dan), John, Knox, Zoey, Heather (Sam), Hanna (Nils), Annalise and Joseph; and great-grandchildren Deakyn, Dayne, Bailee, Kenleigh, Khloe, Ellee, Lainey, Bennett, Londyn, Kimber, Kaidence, Kendall, Kaleb, Kayden, Hannah, Hunter, Harper, Alexandra, Trace, Mason, Maverick, Carter, Ella, Madeline, and Kysar; and 2 sisters Sharon (Jack) Pagasky, McDonald PA; Carol (Dave) Kramer, Minot, ND and 1 brother Merlin “Boots” Wald, Boise, ID. Was precede in death by her husband of 58 years Robert “Bob” Koch; sons Mike, John and Robert “Bobbie” Scott; a stillborn son and daughter; and her brothers Father Kenneth Wald, Ronald “Spike” Wald.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the John Koch Memorial Fund established at St. Mary’s Central High School.