Monica Rita Koch

Monica Rita Koch was born in a log cabin on January 23, 1923 to the late Anthony (Tony) and Irene Koch of Happy Hollow (Cadet) MO. One of 16 children, Monica was raised on the family farm. She attended St. Joachim Catholic School through 8th grade and then boarded at Ursuline Academy for girls in Arcadia MO for high school. She was graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis in 1945 and earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University in Public Health Nursing in 1947. Upon graduation, she immersed herself into Public Health nursing in the bootheel of Missouri. In 1961 she received her M.S.N from Catholic University of America with a focus on Mental Health for Public Health Nursing. She subsequently spent three years as a supervising public health nurse in Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C. She was then recruited to work as Director of Public Health Nursing for San Mateo County in California where she worked until her retirement. Monica moved back to Missouri in 2015, living at the Sarah Community in Bridgeton.

Monica was an avid golfer and once shot a hole-in-one in a tournament. She loved to travel and learn other cultures. Some of the countries she toured were Ivory Coast, China (The Great Wall of China), Medjugorje, Jamaica and many places in between. She visited and corresponded with many, always remembering all the family in her prayers.

While living in San Francisco California, Monica was very active at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. She arranged flowers for the altar, volunteered in the parish thrift store and embarked on her rosary-making crusade. Monica made 800,000 rosaries (at last count) over her lifetime, which she sent to the foreign Missions.

The Koch family recently celebrated her 100th birthday with nieces and nephews traveling many miles to celebrate her life. The Sarah Community had a second 100th birthday party for her with her residential friends. Monica was old enough to make the “Smucker’s jar” and she received a birthday card from President Joe and wife Jill Biden.

Monica is survived by her loving sister Dolores K. Nephew of Old Mines. Her nephew Curt Buchholz of St. Ann was at her daily beck and call no matter the day or hour. Others who regularly assisted her are niece and godchild Kaye Goggins of Ladue, nephew Jeff Buchholz of St Charles, niece Laura Copeland of St. Louis, and niece Renee N. Godinez of Old Mines. Monica had 50 loving nieces and nephews mainly in the St. Louis and Potosi areas, but also across the country.

Monica passed away on February 8, 2023. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Old Mines on Saturday March 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. Monica will be buried in St. Joachim cemetery followed by a reception in the St. Joachim Catholic School cafeteria.