Mary Ellen Koch

Mary Ellen Koch passed away on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 at the age of 90.

She was born to Marion Reece and Helen Peter Gueck on Feb. 23, 1931, the eldest of six children born to their marriage and spent most of her early years at the family farm west of Haxtun.

Music was a big part of her high school years. She played her father's alto saxophone and excelled in her band and solo work. She also enjoyed business subjects and had thoughts of attending the University of Colorado to study business. Instead, after graduation from Haxtun High School in 1948, she chose to marry Merl Koch.

Merl and Mary ha...