Dessie Partenheimer Koch

Born July 2, 1930, in Mobile, Alabama, she was the daughter of John Emanuel and Hazel Ardis Semon. Dessie attended Murphy High School and, at just 16, began her studies at the University of Alabama, where she pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. With a passion for teaching and shaping young lives, she earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Purdue University.

Dessie married John Partenheimer in 1955, and they built a life together in Indianapolis until his death in 1979. Dessie found love again with Stuart Koch, with whom she shared 24 wonderful years of marriage. Dessie and Stu spent winters at Perdido Key, Florida, and summers in the Northwoods at Crab Lake, Wisconsin.

Dessie made a significant impact on Indianapolis through her leadership, service, and creativity. She founded the beloved Haunted House, the primary fundraiser for The Children’s Museum Guild, with proceeds benefiting the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. In recognition of her role as the “First Witch,” the museum honors her with a bronze statue of a witch’s hat - a lasting tribute to her vision, determination, and spirit. To date, this annual fundraiser has raised more than $18 million.

As an active member of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, Dessie also founded the annual Decorators’ Show House & Gardens, which benefits Eskenazi Health. This event has raised more than $15 million. As a lasting legacy, the Guild created the Dessie Partenheimer Koch Exceptional Service Award to recognize outstanding Guild members.

Dessie served as Director and teacher at Meridian Hills Cooperative Nursery School for 21 years, nurturing generations of children and families. Her civic service included leadership roles with the Nora Community Council, the Northern Hills Association, and the board that brought the Head Start program to Indianapolis. In 2002, the City of Indianapolis proclaimed April 25th as Dessie Partenheimer Koch Day. She received the prestigious Torchbearer Award in 2011, sponsored by the Indiana Commission for Women.

Dessie was a longtime member of Meridian Street United Methodist Church. She was a 62-year member of Meridian Hills Country Club, where she was an avid golfer and shot a hole-in-one. She retired from golf after playing 9 holes on her 90th birthday. She enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, entertaining, and especially cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren.

Dessie is survived by her children Nancy (Mike) Duffy, Sally (Tim) Claffey, and Jane (Mike) Jones; stepchildren Nina Koch and Stuart (Lynn) Koch; daughter-in-law Janet Partenheimer; grandchildren Grace and Jack Duffy, Matt and Evan Claffey, Sally and Michael Jones, Brian (Sabrina Garcia) Uher-Koch, and Hannah (Matt Smith) Uher-Koch. She is further survived by her sister Rosemary Nettles, her brother Manny Semon, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands John A. Partenheimer and Stuart H. Koch, and beloved son, John S. Partenheimer.

Visitation will take place at Leppert Mortuaries - Nora on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Meridian Street United Methodist Church, 5500 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meridian Street United Methodist Church, The Children’s Museum Guild, or St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild.

Dessie will be remembered for her warmth, vision, kindness, strength, and boundless energy. Through her devotion to family, her work as an educator, and her extraordinary service to the community, she made the world brighter for all who knew her.