Irene M. Koch, 97, Marshfield, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2017 at House of the Dove, Marshfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, where the visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time.  Burial will take place Gate of Heaven Cemetery and grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Irene was born on June 13, 1919 in Marshfield, (the Town of Lincoln, Wood County) the daughter of John and Anna (Hederer) Fehrenbach. She attended Sacred Heart Parochial School and was a 1937 graduate of McKinley High School, Marshfield.

After high school, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital until 1940 when she became employed at the Marshfield Clinic until 1942 at which time she left to raise a family. Later on, she worked part time at St. Joseph’s Hospital followed by full time employment at the Marshfield Clinic until retiring in 1981.

She was united in marriage to Karl R. Koch on November 9, 1940 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and they celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary in 2010. Karl died on October 29, 2011.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Jane (Peter) Behrens of Marshfield, and her sons, Chuck (Linda) Koch of Madison and Bob (Linda) Koch of Harshaw. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is further survived by two sisters, Marie Gessert of Marshfield and Mildred Guensburg of Antigo and many nieces and nephews.

She was further preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Genevieve Langreck, Marcella Kilgus, Jeanette Illinski and Marion Fehrenbach.

Irene’s family would like to thank the House of the Dove, Ministry Home Care Hospice and all the individuals who gave her special care.

Memorials may be given to Columbus Catholic High School, Our Lady of Peace Parish or the House of the Dove.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com