Henrietta Leona Koch

Henrietta L. Koch, 92, of Axtell, KS, died Monday, January 12, 2015 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, KS. Visitation was Wednesday, January 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 15, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Father Albert Hauser officiated. Kathy Buessing played was the organist. Music included “Amazing Grace”, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”, “She’s Gonna Fly”, “Come Home” and “How Great Thou Art”. The readings were given by Bridget Crow and Sheila Heinen and the petitions by Jackie Koch. The pallbearers were Adam Koch, Justin Koch, Clint Koch, Jared Koch, Dean Koch, Alex Koch, Travis Meyer and Scott Koch. Burial was at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Axtell. Henrietta was born on May 30, 1922 to Fred and Johanna (Sudbeck) Holthaus at Kelly, KS. At the age of 5 years, her parents and family moved to St. Benedict where she attended school. She graduated as Valedictorian from St. Benedict High School Class of 1940. Following graduation, she went to Kansas City for employment, first at John Taylor Dept. Store and later at Russell Stover Candies. She married Leo Koch on January 8, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They remained in Kansas City until 1958, when they moved back, purchasing the Summerfield I.G.A. grocery store. Due to Leo’s health, they sold the store and moved to a farm northwest of Axtell. He then purchased the rural gas and oil delivery truck, where Henrietta remained at home doing the books and telephone services. She was a homemaker. Henrietta was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church, St. Michaels Guild and local card clubs, the Royal Neighbors Club and senior citizens of Axtell. She enjoyed doing custom quilting, working with flowers and was especially fond of each of her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo on May 25, 1985; brothers, Alphonse Holthaus, Ed Holthaus, Carl Holthaus, Raymond Holthaus, Fred Holthaus, Lawrence Holthaus and Aloysius Holthaus; sisters, Bertha Weber, Mary Holthaus and Ida Olberding. Survivors include sons, Stephen (Joyce) Koch, Beattie, Alan (Emily) Koch, Dennis (Jane) Koch, both of Axtell; daughters, Karen (Gayland) Buchele, Payson, Arizona, and Julie (James) Meyer, Axtell; and one sister, Frances Broxterman, Chicago Heights, IL., 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, sister-in-laws, Carol Koch, Seneca, Dorothy Koch, Baileyville, Alma Holthaus, Kelly, and Shirley Koch, Kansas City. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michaels School, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, or to the Life Care Center of Seneca and can be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Henrietta Leona Koch, please visit our flower store.