IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Clara Bell

Clara Bell Koch Profile Photo

Koch

July 21, 1921 – May 19, 2014

Obituary

Clara Bell Burger Koch, born July 21, 1921, on the Burger family ranch near Hondo, TX, passed away on May 19, 2014, at the age of 92. Clara Bell was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Floyd Koch; parents, Henry and Lizetta (Mumme) Burger; siblings, Melvin, Aileen, Stanley, and Robert Burger. Clara Bell enjoyed a long, wonderful life that started on the family ranch in Medina County. She loved animals and had many cats and dogs which she would dress up and play with. She attended Peach Tree School, riding her horse in rain or shine. She attended Hondo High School. At age 15 she lost her father, Henry, in a hunting accident and grieved for him her whole life. On July 2, 1940, she married Floyd Koch in Hondo, and they were married 54 years until Floyd's death on May 13, 1995. When Floyd was drafted by the Navy, they relocated to California. After Floyd was stationed in Saipan, Clara Bell returned to Hondo via the train. Back in Hondo she worked for Southwestern Bell and Green Tag. On September 1, 1948, Floyd and Clara Bell welcomed their first daughter, Brenda, and on May 1, 1952, their second daughter, Riva. Clara Bell was a true homemaker, sewing her daughters' clothes and special occasion outfits for twirling and drum major. Clara Bell got to experience many things in her lifetime: country living, moving across country, traveling by horse drawn carriage, train and automobiles, the Depression, indoor plumbing, electricity, telephones, television and, yes, even cell phones and men walking on the moon. She always said we had it easy that we should appreciate not having to dig a hole to refrigerate our food and not having to read by kerosene lamps. She loved spending time with her animals and tending to her plants but most of all she loved her family and seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. Clara Bell is survived by her two daughters, Brenda Koch Heilig of Hondo and Riva Koch of Fredericksburg; five grandchildren, Britta Daniel and husband Brenham of Fredericksburg, Brent and wife Jean Heilig of Lytle, Todd and wife Janna Heilig of Castroville, Tiffany and husband Jason Rosson of Leander, Lace and husband Randy Meyer of Fredericksburg; six great-grandchildren, Arabella Garcia, Joshua, Kylie and Zachary Heilig, Garrett and Layne Rosson; step-grandson, Ryan Rosson; and sister-in-law, Adell Burger. Visitation will be Thursday, May 22, 5 to 8 p.m. with Rosary recited at 7 p.m. at Guinn-Horger Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 23, 10 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, followed by interment at Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section. Pallbearers were Danny Andreas, Scott Billings, Brent Heilig, Todd Heilig, John Martinez, and Jason Rosson. Honorary bearers were Joshua Heilig, Zachary Heilig, Garrett Rosson and Layne Rosson.
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Funeral Services

Visitation

May
22

Guinn-Horger Funeral Home

2006 Avenue M, Hondo, TX 78861

5:00 - 8:00 pm

Service

May
22

Guinn-Horger Funeral Home

235 PR 4422, Hondo, TX 78861

Starts at 7:00 pm

Service

May
23

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

, Hondo, TX 78861

Starts at 10:00 am

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