Aileen Koch

Aileen Koch (née Leo) of Chapel Hill NC passed away at Carolina Reserve of Durham Assisted Living in Durham NC on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the age of 95. She was born September 20, 1929 to John and Ellen (née Burke) Leo of Youghal, County Cork, Ireland.

Aileen emigrated to America in1948 from her hometown of Youghal, a beautiful seaside resort in the south of Ireland. She flew from Shannon to Boston at the invitation of her great aunt, who lived in Attleboro MA. She then relocated to Wisconsin to be near her sister Elizabeth, who was a war bride after her marriage to Joseph Schleis of Kewaunee, WI. While living in Kewaunee, Aileen found employment in the neighboring town of Two Rivers on the shores of Lake Michigan, where she met and married Mark William Koch and with whom she started a family. In Two Rivers she was given the nickname ‘Irish’ by friends and acquaintances and worked for the public school system. Listening and dancing to Irish music always lifted her spirits and helped keep her homesickness at bay. She walked in many St Patrick's Day parades in Milwaukee and was often one of the top fundraisers for her church in fighting hunger, through participation in Crop Walks. She was a talented seamstress and gifted knitter of beautiful Irish Aran sweaters. She maintained her Irish accent, a quick sense of humor and an Irish wit that were beguiling to all who knew her, right up to her final days.

She passed peacefully in her sleep.

She is survived by four children: Kevin Koch (Kathy Maloney) of Chapel Hill NC, Wendy Hoffman (Jeff) of Suamico WI, Maureen Bergh (David) of Birchwood WI and Kathleen Koch (Torsten Bartsch) of Cessy, France. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Brendan Bergh of St. Louis Park MN, Mark Koch (Alicia) of Orlando FL, Cullen Bergh (Sarah) of Golden Valley MN, Kilian Bartsch of Cambridge England, Liam Bartsch of Zurich Switzerland and Maureen Bartsch of Cambridge England.

She is further survived by brothers-in-law: Claude Koch of Two Rivers, William Koch of Manitowoc, Thomas Koch of GA and Daniel Koch of CA as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Aileen was preceded in death by her loving husband Mark William Koch of Two Rivers, her parents John and Ellen Leo of Youghal, her mother and father-in-law William and Laura Koch of Two Rivers as well as half-brothers Dermot Leo, Richard Leo and half-sister Mary Samuels (Jack), her brothers Patrick Leo, John Leo and sister Kathleen Leo, all of Ireland.

She was also preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth Schleis (Joseph) and Elizabeth's second husband Don McSwain and niece Jacqueline Yon (Philip) all of Kewaunee; Sister and brother-in-laws: Marian and Orville Marquardt, Barbara and Earl Mueller all of Manitowoc WI; Sisters-in-law: Rose Mary Koch (Claude), Gloria Koch (William), Joanne Koch (Thomas) all formerly of Two Rivers.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Carolina Reserve of Durham Assisted Living, Authorocare Hospice team and Eventus Whole Health for their loving care and all the kindness they bestowed upon Aileen.

A celebration of her life is being planned for August.

If you would like to make a donation in her honor, please give to your favorite charity. Otherwise, simply smile, compliment or spread joy and kindness to a random stranger to honor her and continue her legacy.