Esther C. Koch "Toby"

Koch, Esther C. "Toby" Bay City, Michigan Esther Carole Koch (Toby) passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, February 14, 2015 Age 90 years. The daughter of the late John and Clara (Kullick) Ebel was born January 9, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. Her love of horses and the lure of the southwest took her to California where she later joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association and showed professionally on the Rodeo Circuit all over the United States with her barrel horse Black George. She held a number of state championships did some standing bit riding for the movies and rode in several Rose Parades. She left the circuit to come home to take care of her parents where she met her husband to be in April 1957. They were married Friday, September 13 in Angola, Indiana and enjoyed 57 years of happy family life as a stay at home mother and loving house wife. Toby as she was most know as will be sorely missed for her winning smile, her beautiful sparkling blue eyes and her loving warm heart. She was a member of the Bay City Seventh Day Adventist Church. Toby is survived by her husband Robert; four children, Glenn (Jolene) Koch of Omaha Nebraska, Kristy (Steve) Boardman of Harlan, Iowa, Kari (Chris) Everitt of Saginaw and Dean Koch of Bay City; ten grandchildren, Evelyn, Mitchell and Davis Koch, Brittnee and Blake Boardman, Chase, Garrett and Hannah Everitt and Payten and Raegan Koch. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by one brother, William Ebel. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of McLaren Visiting Nurse Services and Hospice, especially Toni and Denise for their compassion and care they gave to Toby. Funeral and Committal services will take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Pastor Jeff Akenberger with private entombment in Elm Lawn Mausoleum. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to McLaren Visiting Nurse Services and Hospice.