Kathryn "Kathy" (Zier) Koch

Kathryn “Kathy” Koch was born March 25, 1929, in Hardin, Montana. She was the youngest of 12 children born to Dave and Mary Zier. Her father passed away when she was seven years old.  Her mother lived until the age of 97. Kathy completed high school in Hardin and went on to attend Kinman Business College in Washington. After returning to Hardin, she began work at the Big Horn Bank, which later became First Interstate Bank. Kathy married Rudy Koch on March 12, 1950.  They began their married live farming north of Hardin and eventually purchased a farm 12 miles south of Hardin, where they raised sugar beets, wheat, cattle, and pigs. Kathy took off several years from work to raise her four children: Tom, Donna, Jimm, and Maribeth. She later returned to the banking industry during which she continued in various positions and retired as the Vice President of Customer Service. Kathy was an active 4H leader, Sunday School teacher, choir member and Board member of Christ E&R church. She was also a board member and officer of the Big Horn Hospital Auxiliary and an officer of the board at the Big Horn County Senior Citizens Center.

Kathy proudly supported her grandchildren in all their sporting events and was one of the loudest in the crowd, cheering them on during wrestling matches and swim meets. Kathy was a talented crafter quilting numerous quilts and Christmas quilted projects.  When quilting became too difficult, she crocheted hundreds of doilies to share with her family and friends. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, board games and loved to watch golf and basketball on TV.

Kathy passed peacefully on May 3rd with her daughters by her side.  Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Rudy, and sons, Tom, and Jimm. She is survived by her daughters Donna (Pat) Forney and Maribeth (Randy) Wuertz, grandchildren Brandon (Shari) Forney, Barrett Sherman, great grandchildren Jaron Forney, Hailee Sherman, Hunter Sherman, as well as numerous nieces who she was close to.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Big Horn Hospital Long Term Care Unit for their tender and kind care of Mom. The family would also like to acknowledge Kathy’s fellow Long Term Care residents that provided friendship, support, and a sense of home during the last years of her life. Donations can be made to Christ E&R Church or the Big Horn County Historical Museum.

Services will be June 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Christ E&R Church with a luncheon to follow.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kathryn "Kathy" (Zier) Koch, please visit our Tree Store.