1953 – Phyllis Adair Koch – 2017
Phyllis Adair McConnell was born December 28, 1953, in Marshall, Minnesota to Maynard and Margrete (Dwire) McConnell. She was baptized on September 5, 1954, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall and was later confirmed in August of 1976 at Faith Lutheran Church in Tracy, Minnesota. Phyllis attended school in Marshall and graduated from High School with the class of 1972. She went on to further her education at Southwest State University in Marshall, graduating in 1976. Phyllis was united in marriage to Bruce Koch on June 5, 1976, at Wesley United Methodist Church. The couple made their home in rural Garvin, Minnesota and raised two boys: Kyle and Mark. Phyllis began her career with Schwan’s in 1973 and continued working for 44 years until relapse in April. She earned the Marvin Schwan Excellence Award just this year.
Phyllis was a proud member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, Minnesota where she served in the choir, as treasurer, and the president and treasurer of the LWML. She was also a 4-H leader and Lyon County Extension Committee Member. Her other enjoyments in life included Knitting, Cross Stitching, four wheeling and spending time with her family. While wearing her favorite Red Baron t-shirt, Phyllis Adair Koch, age 63, of Garvin, Minnesota, went to her Heavenly Home on July 11, 2017 after a 13-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia at the Colonial Manor in Balaton, Minnesota.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of 41 years Bruce Koch, Garvin, MN; two sons: Kyle Koch, Warroad, MN; Mark (and Lisa) Koch, Ramsey, MN; five grandchildren: Mariah, Khloe, Addison, Brielle, and Bennett Koch; mother Margrete McConnell, Marshall; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Maynard McConnell; father and mother-in-law, Melvin and Delpha Koch.
Her Celebration of Life was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, Minnesota. Blessed be her memory. Following the reception, interment was in the Hoiland Cemetery, rural Garvin, Minnesota. Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933. Guest book and tribute wall available online at www.hamiltonfh.com.
