Obituary of Elizabeth Anne Koch

August 13, 1957 - Melville, Saskatchewan

September 10, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Elizabeth Koch (nee Kuntz), beloved wife of the late Allison Frank Koch, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the age of 67 years.

Elizabeth was born in Melville, SK, on August 13, 1957. She lived most of her childhood in Moose Jaw, SK, and her final family home was in Belbeck, SK, just outside of Moose Jaw. From there she lived a few places as a young 20-year-old. Until Ally scooped her up and they resided in Tuxford, SK. She moved to Calgary, AB, in 2020 to be with her daughter Jessie and her family.

Elizabeth graduated from the SIAST Palliser Campus with a diploma in business administration. Her high school years were at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw, and she maintained friendships from high school until her passing with some pretty beautiful ladies!

Elizabeth married Allison in 1984 only a short twelve months after they had met in the gas station restaurant she and her father Matthew were running by Tuxford, SK. Ally said from the very beginning that Betty Ann was the woman he was going to marry. They soon bought a house in Tuxford, SK, he proposed Christmas of 1983, shortly after, they were married on May 19, 1984. They had their two daughters, Jessie in Dec of 1987 and Jennie July of 1990. Raising their family in Tuxford and creating a beautiful family home and presence.

She was a member of the Valleyview Care Center and worked as a health care aide for many years. She absolutely loved going to work, being with the residents, and helping them with anything they needed. She also made many friendships and connections here.

Elizabeth accomplished much through her life and was proud of her 21 years managing a 7-11 in Moose Jaw, SK. She created so many beautiful connections with people and created lifelong friendships with co-workers and customers. She was very proud of the daughters (Jessica Koch and Jennifer Koch) she raised. Unfortunately, Jennifer fought the hard battle with cancer and lost her life in 2008.  

Elizabeth was overjoyed with the arrival of her granddaughter, Emily Jennally Cross, she even got to cut the cord and be a part of the whole birth experience. Even though it was pandemic times, and they were restricting support people at that time, she made sure she was there for the whole process. Emily came out loving her right away and instantly slept in her arms when she held her for the first time. Grammy was Emily’s number one and Emily is going to miss her Grammy so much.

Elizabeth’s most memorable vacations were when she and Jessica went to Europe a few times, countless US vacays, New Zealand, the Caribbean many times, and Costa Rica. There were a few places Jessie didn’t get her to, but they definitely travelled a lot during the past sixteen years. She also travelled to Newfoundland and the east coast of Canada with her friend Dianne Davidson, and the camera crew gals were some her most memorable trips taken these past couple of years.

Elizabeth’s favourite quote was “Live every day with love and laughter and make memories every day to love and cherish forever”.

She will be most remembered for her sense of humour and unconditional love. She would give you the shirt off her back and then some, and she always looked for the humour in everything.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jessica Elizabeth Koch and common-law partner Kevin Neil Murray Cross, who live in Calgary AB; four grandchildren, Emily Jennally Cross (Jessica and Kevin’s daughter), and her three bonus grandchildren, Annya (Jeremy) Grace McLean, Sophie Rae Mclean-Cross, and Sandra-Joy Aluv Boyce, all residing in Calgary, AB.

Elizabeth is also survived by her mother Evelyn Kuntz, along with her four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Joe Kuntz and Elaine Kuntz, Jim Kuntz and Beanie Kuntz, Paul Kuntz (Late Brenda), and Larry Kuntz all residing in Moose Jaw, SK; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Marie Swayne and Ross Swayne, and Teresa Gilroy and Steve Gilroy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, Daniel Swayne, Bryan Swayne, Shawn Kuntz (wife Tammie and children, Addison, and Macy), Shannon Kuntz, Shane Kuntz (common-law Ashley), Greg Kuntz (Hayley, Abigail, and Mathew), Scott Kuntz (wife Stephanie and children, Mason, and Riley), Mike Kuntz (wife Brandy and children, Kade, Karsen, and Kole) , Chris Kuntz (wife Amanda and children, Isabella, and McKenzie) Melissa Kuntz (husband Jesse Berry and children, Pyper, Ryker, and Josie), Dakota Kuntz (child Trip), late Chantel Kuntz (children, Sady, and Daisy), Rayden Kuntz. Allison’s family; two sisters-in-law, Kathy Rossler (late Randy Rossler) and Betty Ann Skagen and Brent Skagen; four brothers-in-law, Emerson Koch and Karen Koch, Danny Koch and Arlene Koch, Peter Koch and Sharon Koch, John Koch (ex-wife Dana); among many nieces and nephews of the Koch family, Nadine Koch (husband Todd and children, Emery, and Everly), Cole Koch (child Reese), Kara Koch, Ryley Koch, Trevor Koch (wife Tammy and children, Sloan, Montanna, and Jake), Lyndsay Koch, Peter Koch, Vanessa Rossler (husband Joe and children, RJ, Janzen, and Jaxon), Jodi Rossler (wife Melissa and children, Athena, Rogue, Alaya, and Luke), Nathaniel and Kristen Skagen, JR (wife Sarah and children, Gavin, Ryder, Kahlia, Baylee, and Julian) Brianne Koch, and Keshia Koch (child Sophia); also sooo many cousins, and extended family as well as many, many friends made along her Life Journey!!

Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Allison, daughter Jennifer, father Matthew Kuntz, father and mother-in-law Peter Koch and Marie Koch, and brother-in-law Randy Rossler.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Elizabeth’s family here.

In living memory of Betty Ann Koch, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.