Margaret C. Koch, 72, died Friday, July 11, 2014 at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, NE.

She was born on October 1, 1941 in Marmaduke, Arkansas to C. “Ben” and Bernice A. (Crouch) Clark.

Margaret received her undergraduate degree and her Master’s degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

She married Boyce Core in 1962 in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  To this union, a daughter, Miriam was born.  Margaret was a high school English and theatre teacher in Philadelphia.  Her husband’s military career took them to numerous locations.  This marriage would later end in divorce.

On November 22, 1975 she was united in marriage to Dr. Fred Koch in San Antonio, TX.  They moved to Alliance in 1993.  She taught high school in Bridgeport, NE and later at Alliance High School and WNCC at their Alliance campus.  Margaret was a member of P.E.O. Chapter G.C. and was an active volunteer at the Alliance Library and with the Literacy Council. She was also a member of the United Methodist Church and Thursday Evening Circle and the Tuesdayafternoon ecumenical bible study which she often led and added great insight.  As an English teacher and excellent cook, Margaret was surrounded by books.  She belonged to the Thrills and Chills Mystery book club and to the “other” book club.  An avid bridge player, Margaret was often quoted on questionable plays and taught many to love the game.

She is survived by her daughter, Miriam Core of Jamestown, NC, her son, Henry Koch of Omaha, her granddaughter, Paige Moss of Omaha and her brother, Fred (Rinda) Clark of Fayetteville, TN and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first son, Rex in infancy, her husband, Fred Koch, her sister and her husband, Jane and Joe Zollner.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Jeanie Sedivy and Cheryl Harris officiating.  Burial will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to PAWS, a local animal shelter program at PAWS, 2811 Big Horn, Alliance, NE  69301.