Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Longtime Worland resident, Helen Kathryn Koch, passed away at her home on September 28, 2016 at age 70.

Kathy was born on June 15, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the first child of Jody Naomi (McAskill) and Herbert A.G. Koch. She moved with her family to Ft. Worth, Texas in 1949. The family next moved to Houston, Texas in 1950, and to Newcastle, Wyoming in 1952.

Kathy started school in Newcastle and then completed her education in Worland after her family moved here in 1958. She graduated from Worland High School with the Class of 1964.

She then attend the University of Wyoming for a year, then enrolled at North West Community College in Powell to get her associated degree. She moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1967 to work in medical records. She returned to University of Wyoming in 1971 where she obtained a B.A. in English in 1973.

Kathy then moved to Seattle, WA to attend Seattle University, living there until 1976 when she moved to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY to teach medical records for several years before enrolling at the University of Colorado to get her Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Kathy then worked as a business consultant in marketing for a couple of years in Denver, Colorado before moving back to Worland to work in her family's business, Koch Production, in 1984. She and her sister became the owners of the company in 1994.

Being a volunteer was fulfilling for Kathy as she served on the board of directors of Washakie Mental Health, Washakie Museum and Cultural Center, Washakie Development Association, and Worland Rotary Club where she was a past president and served as the club treasurer for many years. She also was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church.

Her hobbies included reading, doing craft projects, and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother-in-law Kim Weaver.

Kathy is survived by his sister Marilyn Weaver (Dean Frederick) of Worland, and her sons Kyle (Mandy) Weaver of Worland and Clay Weaver of Billings, Montana. She is also survived by her grand-nieces Sunny, Daisy, and Ruby Dale Weaver all of Worland, and by her dog Katie.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Washakie Museum and Cultural Center. Her cremains will be placed in the St. Alban's Episcopal Columbarium at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Washakie Museum & Cultural Center – 2200 Big Horn Avenue – Worland, WY 82401.

Veile Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.