Irene Koch passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Esterhazy, SK. She was 86 years of age. Irene was born June 6, 1929 in Rhein, SK, the daughter of David and Molly (nee Frick) Boehm. She was the second oldest in a family of 10 children. Irene went to school in Rhein and was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Rhein. In her early years she helped out on her grandparents farm, cooking and cleaning. She later worked at the Lutheran Care Home in Melville, SK. She was actively involved in the Red Cross in Rhein and in her spare time she played softball and enjoyed writing stories and playing cards. Irene married the love of her life, Albert Koch on December 29, 1946 at the age of 17. They started their life together on the farm and later moved to the village of Rhein, where she was blessed with eight children. While in Rhein, Irene worked alongside Albert in the Rhein post office. The family later moved to Esterhazy, where they were blessed with two more children and also raised a granddaughter. Irene stayed home to raise her children and once all her children were in school, she re-entered the work force, working at Potashville Dry Cleaners and later Macleods, where she retired. Irene loved to cook and bake for her family. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bowling and sewing outfits for her kids. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She especially enjoyed travelling for basketball, ball games, soccer and loved going to her grandchildren's band concerts. She enjoyed watching her girls at skate carnivals and also enjoyed going to bingo, playing cards and travelling to casinos in various places in Canada and the United States. Irene always looked forward to getting company whether it was her kids, grandkids or anyone else who came to visit. Irene leaves to celebrate her life, her children; Leslie (Sylvia) of Esterhazy, SK, Eldene Looker of Regina, SK, Curtis (Brenda) of Toms River, New Jersey, USA, Pamela Heisler of Regina, SK, Robert (Wanda) of Winnipeg, MB, Jodean Schentag of Regina, SK, Denise (Arthur) Ransom of Regina, SK, Richard of Surrey, BC, Kerri-Laine of Yorkton, SK and Shelly Nelson (granddaughter) of Surrey, BC; her brother and sisters; Arnold Boehm of Rhein, SK, Florence Matechuk, Shirley (Bob) Gavlas, Barbara (James) McDougall all of Yorkton, SK, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews other relatives and many good friends. Irene was predeceased by her husband Albert in 2011, her son Bradley in 1975, her parents David in 1992 and Molly in 1983, her brothers Wilhelm in 1931, Rheinhold in 1983, Edward in 2013, her sisters, Audrey in 2002, and Viola in 2008, her grandson Donald in 1989, her granddaughter Crystal in 2014, and two great-grandchildren, Joel in 1992 and Samantha in 2007. Funeral Services were held on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Esterhazy, SK. Arrangements entrusted to Peter Carscadden Funeral Services Ltd.
