Mary Anna Koch

Mary Anna Koch aka Aunt Mary of Merced, CA. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 27th 2014 at the age of 93. Mary was born on April 11, 1921 in Keystone, Nebraska. Mary was the youngest and only daughter of Joseph and Anna Wujek’s four children. She was preceded in death by her husband John and brothers, Stan, Frank and Joe. Mary is survived by her son John (Shary) and grandson Jason (Alex) and great granddaughters Payton and Avery, nieces Rose Eager Sabo, Lavonne Ashwood (Dick) and nephew Dan Wujek (Helen). In addition she had six great nephews and eleven great nieces and 31 great great nieces and nephews and 3 great great great niece and nephews.

Mary was raised in a sod house on a farm near Lake McConaughy with the closest big town Ogallala about 30 miles away. Education was very important to her parents Joseph and Anna and at the age of 10 they sent her to Buffalo, New York for a proper education. Mary was a school teacher in Nebraska for 29 years. In 1970, after the passing of her husband John, Mary moved to Merced, CA and taught at Weaver School for 16 years as a math teacher. She retired in 1986.

She was very active in the Arbor Gallery as a host volunteer. She was an avid traveler visiting Egypt, China, Europe and South America. Mary enjoyed playing any type of card game with family and friends. She was especially fond of her trips to Chicken Ranch and Black Oak Casinos.

The family wishes to thank for their kind assistance, the staff at the Franciscan Convalescent Hospital and a special thanks to her long time personal caregivers Charlene and Maria.

The Rosary will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church located at 459 W 21st St. Merced, CA on Saturday, June 7 2014 at 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Ogallala, Nebraska. A reception will be held at 1011 Colorado, Merced, CA after the funeral.

Please make any contributions to the charity of your choice in Mary’s memory.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.