Kathryn Agnes "Kutz" Koch, age 92, of Oshkosh, passed away at Park View Health Center on December 24, 2009. Kathryn was born on May 12, 1917, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the daughter of Mathew and Catherine (Drexler) Duex. She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Omro.
Kathryn grew up on Bowen Street just a few doors north of Parkway on the east side of Oshkosh. Along with her two sisters and five brothers she attended St. Mary's School and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1934. Her first job was at Neubergers on South Main Street in Oshkosh.
All of the Duex children participated in sports and Kathryn was no exception. She played tennis and softball and also enjoyed bowling. In 1935 she met Wilbert Koch, and three years later they were married on November 26, 1938, at St. Mary's Church in Oshkosh. They began their married life on the east side of Oshkosh. "Wilbo" was a star baseball and softball player in the 1930s and 40s and she enjoyed going to all the games. In 1947, they moved to Reighmoor on the south shore of Lake Butte des Morts.
Besides raising five children, she also worked at Leon's Frozen Custard Drive Inn and Koch Sales. Whenever any family member or acquaintance needed help, Kate was always there with a helping hand. For many years she was a lunch hour volunteer at St. Mary's School in Oshkosh and also at Father Carr's. In later years, she and Wilbo had a catfish set line on Lake Butte des Morts and they never missed a day checking their lines no matter how bad the weather. They also enjoyed going to Las Vegas and the casinos in Wisconsin and Michigan as well.
On February 20, 1992, Wilbert passed away and she remained at Reighmoor until moving to Marion Manor in 2001. At the age of 82, along with her sister, Margaret, she went to Europe and saw Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican. In 2007, she moved to Parkview Health Center and while there enjoyed playing bingo and cards with friends. All through her life she always watched her children and grandchildren play sports and also enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Packers, baseball, tennis and bowling.
She is survived by one daughter, Karen (Gary) Riemer of Neenah and four sons, Ronald (Constance) Koch of Omro, William (Karen) Koch of Oshkosh, Richard (Denise) Koch of Omro and Kenneth (Colleen) Koch of Omro. She is also survived by two sisters, Rose Duex of Oshkosh and Margaret Tranel of Dubuque, Iowa and a sister-in-law, Doris Duex of Seattle, Washington.
Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren: Lawanda (Ronald) Jungwirth of Neenah, Ronda (Ronald) Tucker of Lima, Ohio, Camilla Newell of Oshkosh, Angela Koch of Winneconne, Kristine (Kenneth) Anderson and Elizabeth (Frederick) Merizon of Neenah, Jennifer (Brian) Lee of Orland Park, IL, Robert Owens Jr., of Neenah, Rita (Justin) Hausmann and Shelly Koch of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Matthew (Jennifer) Koch, and Rebecca (Randy) Johnson all of Oshkosh, Ryan (Gina) Koch and Derek (Jessica) Koch of Omro. She is also survived by 28 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and a special friend, Kay Rothe of Berlin.
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Koch, five brothers, Theodore Duex, Joseph Duex, William (Ky) Duex, Harold (Fritz) Duex and Henry (Heinie) Duex, six sisters-in-laws, Gertrude Duex, Sylvia Duex, Lucille Duex,
Rose Koch, Beatrice Rotta and Florence Auler and four brothers-in laws, Milton Koch, Bernard Rotta, Robert Tranel and Donald Auler.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 730 Madison St. in Omro with Father Jason Blahnik and Sr. Pam Biehl officiating. Friends and relatives may call at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
After the Celebration, lunch will be served at Wedgewood Supper Club in Omro. Entombment will be in Lakeview Memorial Park in Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Park View Health Center.
The family would like to thank the staff at Park View for the wonderful treatment that Kathryn received during her stay there.

Thanks for the memories- We are going to miss you, Love, your children.