MARTIN KOCH

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MARTIN KOCH Peacefully on October 11, 2007, Martin Koch passed away at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon, MB. He was born on July 21, 1925 in NagyGanna, Hungary, immigrating with his parents to Ashern, MB at the age of two. The oldest of 13 children, Martin left school after grade 8 to help on the family farm. He was called to join the army, did his basic training in Chilliwack but when he was being posted overseas and was on his way by train to Halifax, the war ended. Dad always said they ended the war because they heard he was on his way over. After the army, Martin worked his way back to Ashern doing various jobs. On October 11, 1950, he married Margaret Cope of Ashern. Martin and Margaret lived in Ashern and Winnipeg but eventually settled in Brandon in 1971. In Ashern, Martin farmed, bartended in Lundar, and also spent some time working at the Ashern B.A. His move to Brandon found him bartending at the Crystal Hotel, a mechanic for Brown's Implements, and Electrolux and eventually opening his own business, Vacuum World where he worked until his retirement in 1986. Martin and Margaret enjoyed travelling and camping across Canada and visiting relatives. During the last years of his travelling, he enjoyed gathering information to put together his family tree. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their extracurricular activities. Martin was predeceased by his wife Margaret, his parents, Frank and Anna and his sisters, Alice Johnson and Holly Moriarty. He leaves to mourn his children, Frances Koch, Sharon (Jim) Gray, Lynn (Mike) Perkins, and Lawrence Koch. His grandchildren, Sandra Bertoia (Wes White), Shari Bertoia (Andrew Butt), Kathi Bertoia, Rick (Vivian) Gray, Rochelle (Mike) Posthumus, Jennifer Perkins, Laura Perkins, Melinda (Jason) McKay. His great-grandchildren, Jessica Higgins-Bertoia, Matthew Gray, Benjamin Posthumus, Toya, Autumn, and Ayla Mckay. His foster daughter Iris Wegner (Paul Cazakoff) and her extended family. His brothers and sisters, Frank (Lena), Willie (Ella), Adolf (Phyllis), Eddie (Ann), Michael (Janet), Annie Koch, Addie Koch, Matilda DeKoning, Elizabeth Koch, Margaret (George) Nagai, and numerous nephews and nieces. Martin is also survived by his in-laws (the Cope Family) and their families. Prayers and viewing will be held Thursday October 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ashern. Funeral Mass service will be held also at the Holy Cross Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m. on Friday October 19, 2007 with Father Michael Raj officiating. Interment to follow in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rick Gray, Mike Posthumus, Jason McKay, Wes White, Andrew Butt and Ken Koch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Cross Memorial Fund, Box 367 Ashern, MB R0C 0E0, or to a charity of one's choice. arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. Ashern - Lundar (204) 768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 16, 2007