Marian Walsh

Marian Walsh, 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27, at WinnPrairie Assisted Living & Memory Care in Freeport, with her four children nearby. She was born in Pearl City on January 24, 1929 as the daughter of Lewis F. Koch and Jessie Goethe Koch, and she graduated from Pearl City High School in 1947 with her husband-to-be, Herb Walsh. They married in 1949 and enjoyed 67 years of marriage, raising their family and farming together in Stephenson and JoDaviess counties.

Marian is survived by her four loving children, Patricia (Roger) McAleenan, Liberty Hill, TX, Joann, (Bob) Kittery, ME, Doug (Laurie) Mattawan, MI, and Karen (Ted) Belitsos, San Antonio, TX; daughter-in-law Joan Walsh, Cedarville, IL; 8 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by the death of her oldest son Larry, her husband Herb, and her brothers Donald Koch, Nelson Koch, Wayne Koch, and sister Dorothy Koch Williams. 

Marian loved taking care of her family, cooking, working in her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, and mowing the lawn on her John Deere tractor. She also enjoyed listening to music of many kinds and had a special affinity for the music of Dean Martin, whose weekly television show she especially enjoyed.

A small, informal Celebration of Life service was held on Friday afternoon, October 30.