Rita Mary Koch

HARTINGTON — Rita Mary Koch, 90, Hartington, died peacefully July 25, 2020, at the Park View Haven Nursing Home, Coleridge.

Visitation will be Wednesday, at the church, from 6-8 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday one hour prior to services.

Mass of Christian Burial will be July 30, at 10 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Services will also be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live/. Facemasks and social distancing will be required for the visitation and funeral.

Burial will be at the Sts. Philip and James Cemetery, St. James.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Koch, Brandon Koch, Jason Koch, Ryan Koch, Devin Martinez and Michael Sorenson.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Rita Mary was born Sept. 15, 1929, in St. Helena, to John and Frida (Heine) Wieseler. She grew up in the St. Helena area and graduated from Mount Marty High School, Yankton, S.D., and then from Mount Marty College with a teacher’s degree. Rita taught country school in District 4 for six years followed by a year at Wynot High School, Wynot, until 1957. She married Anthony Joseph Koch Aug. 30, 1955, in St. Helena. They farmed south of St. James.

Rita was active in her church and many organizations in the community. She started the St. Helena 4-H Club in 1950 and continued being involved and being the leader for many years for the Needles and Nails 4-H Club. She received the 4-H award for Outstanding Individual. She was an active member of the St. Philip and James Catholic Church and the altar society, until it closed in 2000. Rita was instrumental in the St. James History book. Rita then became a member of Holy Trinity Parish, Hartington, where she held an hour of Perpetual Adoration. She was an active member of the Council of Catholic Women and received the prestigious OACCW Mullen Award in 1992.

She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America and held several offices. Rita was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Rita is survived by her six children and spouses, Paul (Tamralynn) Koch, Hartington; Mark Koch and fiance, Donna Davey, Laurel; Kevin (Dena) Koch, Jefferson, S.D.; Karl (Michelle) Koch, Hartington; Jean Koch, Ft. Worth, Texas; and JoEllen (Brad) Sorenson, Newcastle; 25 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marietta (Carl) Soukup, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Sr. Barb Wieseler, Kansas City, Kan.; sister-in-law, Jeanette Wieseler, St. Helena; a cousin who lived with the Kochs, Marcia (Jim) Green, Palm Coast, Fla.; cousin, Cheryl (Jerry) Hisek, Yankton, S.D.; sisters-in-law, Mavis Koch, Wynot; Phyllis Koch, Coleridge; and Irene Peitz, Orland, Calif.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Anthony, April 2, 2000, at the age of 71; and two brothers, Leonard and Gerald Wieseler.