Sunrise: May 9, 1924 ~ Sunset: November 8, 2023

Ella Koch passed away peacefully in her sleep at Saint Clare Hospital in Lakewood WA with her youngest son, Jeff and his wife, Bobbie at her side.

She was born in the small town of Admiral, Saskatchewan Province, Canada, to James William Berrens and Susie Belle (Tower) Berrens. When Ella was about three months old, her family relocated to Seattle and soon after, to Tacoma.

Ella attended school in Tacoma, starting with Saint Patrick's Elementary School, Aquinas Academy (next to Holy Rosary Church), and then Tacoma Catholic College, where she earned her associate degree.

After leaving school, she worked for the telephone company as a switchboard operator, and briefly at a local IRS office.

One evening, Ella met Lt. Kenneth William Koch while "trolling with her girlfriends for a catch" as Kenny would jokingly recall of that night when they first met at a Fort Lewis social function. He was a young army officer back home after serving as a combat tank commander in WWII, and ready to start a new life.

It was love at first sight. They dated for a short time and were then joined in holy matrimony on December 6, 1947, in the rectory of Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma, followed by a reception and then dinner at the Lakewood Terrace restaurant.

Afterwards, they left for their honeymoon, managing only to make it as far as a local motel for their first night of marriage. That was just the start of a love and friendship that would span almost 60 years of marriage.

Over the course of 33 years as a military family, Ken, Ella and their three children traveled throughout the US and Europe, moving over 20 times, living in 10 different states, as well as in Germany and Greece.

The most difficult times during all those years were when Ella was left in charge of the family – and worrying for her Kenneth's safety – while he served combat tours of duty in Korea and Viet Nam.

After decades of moving, the family was finally assigned back to Ft. Lewis, where then Col. Kenneth Koch served as Commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Followed by two tours of duty as Chief of Staff of the 9th Infantry Division and Ft. Lewis.

During that time at Ft. Lewis, Ella sat in oversight positions for various on-base community programs, as well as officer's wives' organizations. Those roles kept her very busy right up until retirement.

As they approached retirement from the military, the family moved into a grand old brick house on Tacoma's North Stadium Way, with unobstructed breathtaking views of the Puget Sound. With the help of family and friends, they would go on to build almost 40 years of beautiful memories in that home.

After retiring from the military, Kenneth wasn't ready to retire all the way. So, he owned and managed a real estate firm for several years. But finally, enough was enough. He sold the business, and the two of them began spending more time travelling. Of all the places they went, Hawaii was perhaps the most memorable.

They came to cherish their annual visits to the Hala Koa Hotel, on the edge of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. For almost 30 years, they would visit the islands for a month, sometimes longer, every winter. But, once her Kenny passed away, that was the end. Ella could never bring herself to go back to the islands again.

Ella was a devout lifelong Roman Catholic, saying the Rosary daily and attending mass regularly. All three children were baptized and raised Catholic as well. At some time during their later years together, Ken told her that he too wished to become Catholic before his life was through.

As fate would have it, soon after that, his health took a turn for the worse. As Kenneth lay on his deathbed, Fr. Lee Hightower, of Lakewood's Saint John Bosco Church came to his side and baptized him, anointed him, and gave him his last rites.

Kenneth W. Koch passed away a few days later on May 15th, 2007, as a man of the Roman Catholic Faith. Prayers answered!

After his passing, Ella lived alone in their Stadium Way home, for another 10 years or so, before finally moving in with her son Jeff and Bobbie, who lived a short distance away in Lakewood. Jeff and Bobbie were truly blessed to have Ella so close throughout her remaining years on earth.

Being able to stay in the same area allowed Ella to still visit with her two surviving brothers and their wives, as well as many of her friends. Some of those friendships went back all the way to her early school days.

Throughout most of her life, Ella created many beautiful paintings, sculptures, and her beloved hand-painted Christmas cards, of which she would paint sometimes over 40 cards for Christmas to send out to her extended family and friends.

She was also an accomplished student of Yoga – maybe that had something to do with her living such a long and healthy life. That and perhaps the glass of white wine she enjoyed in the evenings, as well.

Ella is survived by her three children: Kenneth W. Koch Jr., Melinda S. (Koch) Fairchild and husband Kim P. Fairchild, Jeffrey B. Koch, and wife Roberta J. (Lazzaro) Koch.

Her surviving brothers: Robert E. Berrens and Sadie, and David G. Berrens and Evey.

Grandchildren: John, Rick, Caleb, Ella, Rachel, Susanna, and Jane.

Great-grandchildren: Alexis, Andrew, Sophia, Kalleigh, Chloe, Alyssa, Breana, McKenzie, Triston, and Nathaniel.

She lived for a wonderful 99 years, five months, and 30 days – one day short of her 99 and a half bi-yearly birthday. Yep, when you make it that far, it kind of makes sense to start celebrating your half-year birthdays, as well!

Ella was a very unique and amazing woman, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to so many. She will be sorely missed by so many people who were truly blessed to have known such a sweet and gentle, loving person.

You are finally back in the arms of your loving Kenneth! May God bless you always and keep you safe in your heavenly home, our beloved and precious Ella!