Betty Mae (Earp) Koch, 96, died on January 4, 2025, at The Bluffs Skilled Nursing in Columbia, MO. She had lived with her daughter and son-in-law from November 2022 until December 24, 2024, when she became ill.
Betty was born in Storden, MN on April 14, 1928, to Oscar Pete and Lillie Mae (Adcock) Earp. They moved their young family to Ellis Prairie, MO in 1935 on a flat bed truck with a small house built on the back of the truck. From a family of 15 children, 8 preceded her in death: Alfred Earp, Dessie (Earp) Egnes, Horace Earp, Frank Earp, James Earp, Ervin Earp, Florence (Earp) Walker, and Marlo Earp. Surviving siblings are Eugene Earp of Plato, MO, Joyce Inscore, Fay Barnes and Harold Earp of Roby, MO, Marie Cotton of Licking, MO and Sharon Shetterby of Anderson, IN.
Betty graduated from Houston High School in 1946. On August 10, 1947, she married Russell Eugene Koch who preceded her in death on December 2, 2012. Together they raised 4 children on the Koch homestead in the White Rock community near Houston, MO. Surviving children are Shirley Duff (Ross) of Columbia, MO, Gary Koch (Nancy) of Bucyrus, MO, Randy Koch (Elaine) of Bucyrus, MO and Danny Koch (Darline) Columbia, MO. In addition, there are 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren who also survive.
Oak Hill Christian Church was her home church where she taught Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and helped with many church dinners and activities.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
Services will be held at Oak Hill Christian Church on January 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM with burial in the White Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to Oak Hill Christian Church, 6902 Douglas Rd, Houston, MO 65483. Services are under the care of Bradford Funeral Home and online condolences may be left at www.bradfordfuneralhome.net
