Margaret Koch

Margaret Elaine (Rehbein) Koch was born in Dallas County, Iowa on March 22, 1932 to Herman and Vera (Hartz) Rehbein. Margaret was baptized on May 22, 1932. She graduated from Van Meter High School in 1950. She attended Iowa State University and worked in Des Moines for a few years. In 1956, Margaret married James Koch and they made their home on the farm south of DeSoto where together they raised two children. Margaret was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Van Meter where she volunteered in many capacities including Sunday school teacher, altar guild, and the Mary & Martha ladies’ group. Margaret loved landscaping the yard and working in her extensive flower gardens with her little dogs nearby. Margaret also loved to cook. Anyone who came visiting could never get away without being fed. She and Jim loved to travel and visit family and friends. She loved to play cards with her children, grandchildren and neighbors. She gave the greatest hugs of all. Margaret passed away Monday, August 9, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She was 89. She is survived by her children, Kerry (Don) Beatty of Atkins and Jeff (Diane) Koch of Van Meter; grandchildren, Michelle Beatty, Benjamin Koch, Megan Koch, and Kendra (Alex) Hage; and great-grandson, Herb Hage. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, James; daughter, Jerri; sister, Mildred; brother, Kenneth; and her parents, Herman and Vera. A visitation will be held 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 16 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Van Meter. Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church.