Vona Koch

Vona D. Koch, 72, of North Platte, died March 4, 2023, at Great Plains Health. She was born on Jan. 27, 1951, in Arnold, to Lonnie and Alyce (Whitney) Swisher. Vona moved with her family to North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1969, then went on to Chadron State College and graduated with an educational degree in home economics. Vona started her career as a student teacher in Stapleton. She then taught at Maywood Public Schools for several years. On July 21, 1974, Vona married Kim Koch at the First Baptist Church in North Platte. She continued to teach at Maywood until their daughter Wendy was born. She held several other positions in North Platte such as working with the Area Agency on Aging, North Platte Housing Authority and the State of Nebraska childcare licensure and regulation department. Prior to her retirement, Vona was the executive director of the North Platte Community Daycare. She was instrumental on the committee that established Little Leprechaun Preschool at McDaid, and was a long-time substitute teacher for the North Platte Catholic Schools. Vona belonged to the Home Economics Club in North Platte and was a past Board member of the Miss Nebraska Scholarship Organization. Vona and Kim joined the Catholic Church in 2007 and are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where Vona was a lector and eucharistic minister. Vona was a talented seamstress, even making her own wedding gown. She could sew anything, and was known for making alterations for family and friends. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was a constant person in her grandchildren's lives, spending much time with them and at their activities. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her step-father, Elmer Adelbert Crosby. Survivors include her husband, Kim of North Platte; daughter, Wendy (Kevin) Dodson of North Platte; grandchildren, Logan, Paige and Hope Dodson, all of North Platte; step-siblings, Carolynn (Riley) Shimmin of Livingston, Montana, Elaine (Al) Cox of Gilbert, Iowa, Marcia (Richard) Mittwede of Austin, Texas, and Bruce (Candy) Crosby of McCook; numerous other family members; and special friends John Harper of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Marsha Wandersee of Lincoln. Memorials may be made to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment, Trust-Inc., apps.npcschools.org/donate-now, and online condolences and live stream of the service can be found at adamsswanson.com. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Jonathon Sorenson as celebrant. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 7. Register book signing is from noon-7 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, March 6. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.