Martha H. Koch

Martha H. Koch, 92, of Goshen, entered the presence of the Lord on Monday, August 25, 2014, at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen. She was born Oct. 5, 1921 in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada, to Menno and Lovina (Bauman) Horst. On Aug. 8, 1942 in St. Jacobs, she married Roy S. Koch. He died June 12, 2010. Surviving are three daughters, Arlene (Ken) Holdeman of Bloomington, Minnesota, Jane (Stan) Oyer of Middlebury, and Sheila (Millard) Graber of Goshen; three sons, Robert (Linda) Koch of Colorado Springs, Colorado., Richard (Rhonda) Koch of St. Joseph, Michigan , and Rodney Koch of Beaverton, Oregon; 18 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mary Shantz of Cambridge, Ontario, Barbara Horst and Emma Brubacher, both of St. Jacobs, Ontario; and a brother, Mel (Leeta) Horst, also of St. Jacobs, Ontario.. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Joyce Graber; three brothers, David, Elam and Amon Horst; and two sisters, Lena Frey and Verna Waters. She was a loving foundation for her husband and family. Caring for them brought her much joy in life. She befriended and ministered to many, opening her home to students and others who needed a place to live. She shared her husband's church ministry and was a sought after public speaker. They ministered in St. Jacobs, Ontario for 21 years, West Liberty, Ohio for 13 yrs, and came to Goshen in 1970, where she was a member of East Goshen Mennonite Church. Her love for the Lord was evident in how she lived her life. Her jobs included secretarial work, child care, food service at Goshen College and retail work at Provident Book store. She volunteered at the Goshen Hospital for 26 years. Visitation will be at East Goshen Mennonite Church on Friday, August 29, from 1 to 4 pm. and 6 to 8 pm., and Saturday, August 30, 2014, for one hour prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service. Pastor Steve Slagel will officiate. Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Joyce Graber Foundation or the Alzheimer's Foundation.