Kayla Mae Koch

Funeral services for Kayla Mae Koch, age 17, of Glenville will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Glenville-Emmons High School.  Rev. Ronald Myers will officiate.  Private interment will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m. Friday July 15th at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service at the school.  

Kayla died Sunday, July 10, 2011 as a result of an accident.

Kayla Mae Koch was born on November 29, 1993 to Gregg and Brenda (Bungum) Koch in Austin, MN. She was baptized on April 4, 2004 and confirmed on April 27, 2008 in the Christian faith at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church.  Kayla attended Glenville-Emmons High School where she was active in FFA, YAK  and played volleyball.  She was respected by her classmates and was a great role model to her underclassman.  She was a very warm and caring person who touched the hearts of many in her short life.  Kayla’s faith was very important to her and she was a very active member of Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church.  She enjoyed being a part of Sunday school and Bible school because it gave her an opportunity to teach younger kids about God, which she felt was really important.   She enjoyed babysitting and singing children’s songs, and children loved to be with her.  Kayla was active in 4-H for the past 6 years and served as treasurer last year.  One of her favorite things was showing pigs.  She loved all kinds of animals especially kittens.  Kayla was looking forward to being a participant in the Miss Teen America Scholarship and Recognition Program in July of this year.  She lived every moment to the fullest and treasured the time she spent with her family and friends.  Sharing family dinners at home, was a highlight of Kayla’s daily life.  She also liked having her friends over for bonfires and swimming at her home.   Kayla enjoyed camping and went on many trips, including Alaska, Colorado, Canada and Northern Minnesota.  She enjoyed driving and was saving money for the purchase of a jeep.  Kayla enjoyed playing the piano in her spare time, she felt music was calming and comforting in tough situations.  The love she shared will be with her family and friends forever and give them strength.  Rest safely in God’s arms Kayla, till we are together again.

Survivors include her parents Gregg and Brenda Koch; brother Kenny Koch; grandmothers Connie Koch and Arletta Bungum; aunts and uncles Gerry and Karen Koch, Janet and Steve Bergo, Victoria Oxborough, Bruce and Gail Bungum, Carol and Gary Braun, Pam and Chuck Nieman, June and Herb Howard, Dean and Shelly Bungum, David and Lisa Bungum; many cousins, friends and special friend Chad Maier.

Kayla was preceded in death by her grandfathers Kenneth Koch and Victor Bungum; and cousins Robert and Ronald Koch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for the establishment of a scholarship in Kayla’s name.