Christine Koch

Christine Koch was born Dec. 15, 1913, to Leber and Anna Mary (Faller) Hecker 10 miles west of Dickinson, N.D.

Christine passed away Monday, April 12, 2010, at her home in Belfield, N.D.

At about the age of four, her family moved to Fairfield, N.D., and she attended country school until the eighth grade. She worked at the family farm until she married Andrew Koch on Feb. 28, 1933, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Belfield, N.D.. To this union, 16 children were born, 10 girls and six boys. The couple moved 11 miles southwest of South Heart, N.D., and farmed there until 1945, when they bought a farm three miles northwest of Belfield. In 1970, they leased out the farm and moved to Hungry Horse.

In 1994, after 25 years in Montana, Christine and Andy moved to Bowman, N.D. In 1996, they returned to Belfield N.D., to retire and made it their home once again. Christine worked in restaurants. She also cooked for the Gold Seal Medora Foundation for eight years and taught 4-H cooking classes for several years in Montana. Christine loved traveling, gardening and canning, but most of all, she loved her beloved family.

She is survived by six sons: Arnold Koch, Richfield, Minn., Wilbert (Irene) Koch, Williston, N.D., Andrew, Jr. (Carol) Koch, Columbia Falls, Paul (Louise) Koch, Creston, Robert (Connie) Koch, Billings, and Thomas (Amy) Koch, Kalispell; 10 daughters: Clara Dowhaniuk, Belfield, N.D., Lorraine Schubert, Roy, Wash., Margaret Millen, Tacoma, Wash., Anne (Jerry) West, Green Valley, Ariz., Polly (Lynn) Inglehorn, Colfax, Wis., Marcella (Jim) Olson, Watford City, N.D., Judy (Bernard) Palahniuk, Fairfield, N.D., Cynthia (Maurice) Elhart, Loveland, Colo., Nora (Dennis' Molm, Billings, and Faye Turner, Columbia Falls; 48 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; six sisters; three brothers; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Christine is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Andrew; two sisters; two brothers; four son-in-laws; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass for Christine was Friday, April 16, 2010 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Belfield, N.D.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.