- Date Of Birth: October 4, 1951
- Date Of Death: January 21, 2016
- State: Idaho
Glenda D. Koch, 64, Meridian, Idaho, lost her valiant battle with ovarian cancer at home on Thursday, January 21, 2016. Her loving husband, Ken, was at her side. She was preceded in death by her father, Lonnie (Chick) Stout, her nephew, Brian Bosch, and several aunts and uncles. Surviving her are: her mother, Jane Stout of Meridian, her husband of 30 years, Kenneth Koch of Meridian, daughter Ari (Tony) Ford of Nampa, stepsons Carl (Rhonda) Koch and Shawn Koch all of Boise, Sheldon Koch of Columbus, MT, Clint (Paula) Koch of Kuna, 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brother Mike (Jen) Stout of Round Mountain, NV, sisters Norma Bosch of Buckley, WA, and Carrie (Mike) Magette of Meridian, Idaho, maternal uncle, Lester Shaw of Boise, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, her faithful dog -Bungee, and as many friends as there are stars in the sky!
If you knew Glenda well, you knew her love of order and organization prevailed everything, how she always had things done early, and how she would go out of her way to make life easier – if not better- for the rest of us. True to that nature, when she found out that her time here on earth was running out, she immediately went into planning mode -to make life a little easier for those of us left behind. The following is her life story, written in her own hand, as she wanted you to know it:
I was born on October 4, 1951, to Lonnie W. (Chick) Stout and Jane (Shaw) Stout. I lived an idyllic, early childhood along the Selway/Lochsa Rivers in N. Idaho.
When I was 4 years old, we moved to the CCC housing south of Riggins, Idaho. Shortly thereafter, my brother Mike was born. He has grown up to be a kind and loving man and a good friend. He sets a high bar for brotherly examples. Just before I started school and could ride the bus, we moved to North Riggins, and my sister, Norma was born. She is a great sister, fun and funny, adventurous, and caring. You would want her to be your sister. Later, we moved to the main part of town, and youngest sister, Carrie, was born – do you see a pattern developing as to whenever we moved another child was born? Hmmm… Carrie was such a fun child and sweet too and has turned into a great person. She is another example of what a great sister can be. Over the years, we have lived the closest of the siblings and so have had lots of adventures together. We grew up at a great time in Riggins. All children were safe and could roam at will (under the watchful eyes of all the moms – it takes a village scenario) -with restrictions such as “be home when the street lights come on.”
When I was 14, I started working as a dishwasher at my aunt’s restaurant, Summerville’s Café. The most important thing I learned working there was to never go anywhere empty-handed. This influenced me my whole life. I also found out you could laugh and joke sometimes to lighten the hard work. That has also served me well all my life. I also worked at Weeds’ Drive-in for George and Leona Weed. They were sticklers for hard work too, but they also liked to laugh and joke.
After graduating from high school, I worked for the USFS as a fire lookout in the summers and on the brush crew in the spring and fall. Another lesson learned – never carry your axe on the uphill side. I was fortunate to work with the old guard who had common sense – Ace Barton, Elmer Greenbank, Red Woods, Alton Harrington, Art Riley, and Chuck Beardsley to name a few. This was the beginning of women crews working alongside men crews in the USFS. The men only tolerated the women at first but soon realized we were hardworking, dedicated and did good jobs. Late falls and early springs, I went to college at TVCC in Ontario, OR and then to Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA.
After college, I married my first husband, Wes Widner, moved to Weiser, Idaho, and we had daughter Ari (the best daughter anyone could ever ask for). She has been a fun and easy child to raise and is hardworking and funny. We enjoyed many adventures together.
In 1985, I married the love of my life and best husband in the world, Ken Koch, and moved to Meridian, Idaho. Our combined family was five kids (Ken’s four boys –Carl, Shawn, Sheldon, and Clint and my daughter Ari) and several well-loved dogs. With all the kids, life was never boring. Ken’s family was always very supportive, and together with the kids and dogs we had many good times. As grown-ups, the kids have always helped us when we needed help, or talks, or laughs, and I wouldn’t be who I am if not for them.
Ken’s extended family took us in like a dog takes on ticks, and it was like we had known them forever. We have had many fun trips, vacations, dinners, and potlucks over the years. I want to thank them so very much for making Ari and me –and my whole family – feel like we belonged.
While living in the Meridian and Kuna area, I worked for the Meridian School District driving bus for two seasons, for Aluma Glass Industries for five years, and for the City of Boise before finding my true work home and family for 23 years at the State of Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The PUC is an interesting and hardworking place, and I found almost every minute fascinating. I retired from the PUC on March 28, 2014.
In February, 2014, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I lived out the rest of my days the best I could, surrounded with the wonderful care and company of my husband, my mom, our kids, extended family, friends, and beloved dog, Bungee. In addition, my family and I wish to thank my caring doctors – Dr. Weiss and staff at Primary Health, Meridian, Dr. Ben Bridges and staff at MSTI-Meridian, and Dr. Perez and staff at MSTI-Boise. Also, the staff at Meridian St. Luke’s ER and the Boise and Meridian St. Luke’s hospitals who have cared for me. And most recently, the amazing staff of St. Luke’s Hospice for their special care in my last days. I have few regrets and have always tried to give more than I took. I hope I left you with a good laugh or two to remember me by.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
Mary Frye
