Ann Elizabeth Och

Ann Schuh Och age 85, of Alexandria, MN passed away peacefully at home on October 8, 2025.

A loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Ann lived a faith-filled life centered on family, service and music. She will be remembered for her love of the Lord and her kindness that she so generously shared with others.

Ann was born on December 18, 1939, in Winona, MN to Leo and Irene Schuh. After graduating from high school, she moved to the Twin Cities where she met and married John (“Jack”) Och. Together they made their home in Roseville, MN and raised four children during their 28 years of marriage. Her family was her greatest pride and lifelong joy.

Faith and music were the foundation of Ann’s life. A devout Catholic, she viewed her musical gifts as a way to serve others and express her faith. Classically trained from childhood, she played piano, organ, accordion, guitar and French horn. She found her greatest fulfillment in church music. Ann served for many years as an organist at St. John the Baptist Church in New Brighton and later at St. Patrick’s Parish in Anchorage, AK. In Anchorage, she also shared her gifts with St. Patrick’s Parish CHAOS, a musical group rooted in faith and friendship that she cherished deeply.

Ann moved to Alexandria, MN in 2011 where she spent her time deepening relationships with family and friends. She loved writing letters to her 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, staying connected across the miles—from Alaska to Minnesota to Washington. She delighted in attending their sporting events, visits, milestones and treasured every opportunity to be part of their lives.

Ann will be deeply missed by her children, Michelle O’Callaghan, Melaine “Marcy” Marcella, Jenna (Bill) Finley, and James (Sandra) Och; her grandchildren, Patrick (Sara) O’Callaghan, Maureen (Cory) Knowles, Michael O’Callaghan, Christine (Tyler) Begley, Sheila O’Callaghan, Veronica Aquino, Justyn (Toriayn “Tori”) Cozza, Rachael (David) Kenney, Kevin Finley, and Sarah (Jagger) Greenwood; and by her sister, Margaret “Peggy” (Wes) Bergsrud. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. Ann was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Irene Schuh; brothers Thomas and Peter Schuh; and sister Sue Plachecki.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria on Monday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service and a rosary will be prayed for Ann at 9:45 a.m.

The family would like to thank the staff at Alex Assisted Living for their exceptional care and compassion.