Vincent P. Koch, 90, of Axtell, KS, died late Monday, March 26, 2001, at Country View Estates care home in Seneca. He had been a resident there since November of 1997.

He was born January 19, 1911, on a farm north of Baileyville, on the John P. Koch homestead, the son of John P. and Carolyn M. Eisenbarth Koch. Vince grew up there and attended a rural school and Sacred Heart School at Baileyville. His mother died when he was 10 years old.

On January 19, 1937, he married Helen B. Hulsing at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived and farmed north of Baileyville until 1958 when they moved to a farm northwest of Axtell. In 1968 they moved into Axtell, where from 1968 to 1973 he worked for the Marshall County Road and Bridge Department. He and his wife Helen cleaned St. Michael’s Church from 1968 to 1983. They were the custodians for St. Michael’s School from 1974 to June of 1990.

He was a member of St. Michael’s Church in Axtell and a former of member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

Survivors are his wife Helen of the home; seven sons, John of Baileyville, Francis of Holton, KS, Ralph, Leroy, Carl, and Roger, all of Axtell, Michael of Lindsborg, KS; seven daughters,Verita Schmitz of Baileyville, Edna Lackey of Kansas City, KS, Mary Kramer of Grand Junction, CO, Alice Porting and JoAnn Porting, both of Axtell, Barbara Korte of Goff, KS, Sharon Skalla of Beattie; 47 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cecelia Rose Koch on December 19, 1947; a grandson, Bradley Koch; and four brothers, George, Firmin, Joseph, and his twin brother, Marcellus “Marsh” Koch.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Friday at St. Michael’s Church in Axtell. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Michael’s Church or St. Michael’s School, and sent in care of the family.