Nancy “Jane” Koch

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Nancy “Jane” Koch passed away on June 14, 2023. Jane was born on February 13, 1947, to David and Wanda McCarty in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jane met Jim Koch while he was stationed on the Ohio River serving in the Coast Guard in April of 1970. They married on September 26, 1970, and moved to Nebraska in 1972.

Jane pursued her education in teaching and held a master’s degree in reading. She was a beloved teacher for many years and taught in Riverton, Franklin, and Hastings, Nebraska. Jane’s love of teaching was evident, and she was awarded the Hastings Public Schools teacher of the year in 1996. She and her husband Jim dedicated time to developing a butterfly garden at Morton Elementary School in Hastings and she spent many years teaching her students about the monarch butterfly migration. Jane enjoyed developing meaningful and innovative ways to teach her students. She had a life-long love of learning and was deeply committed to her students.

In addition to her work, Jane loved spending time with her family. She and Jim spent many years traveling the interstate to visit and spend time with their children and grandchildren in Harrison and Lincoln, Nebraska. Jane was a good mentor and friend to many over the years.

Jane is survived by her husband Jim; daughters Amy Koch and Susan Fager; grandchildren Connor Rodenbaugh, Madeline Rodenbaugh, and Autumn Fager; sister Teresa (Dennis) Goodman; brothers David (Michelle) McCarty and Shawn (Kim) McCarty; sister-in-law Cathy McLeod; brother-in-law Lauris (Tonya) Koch; sister-in-law Ellen (Tom) Hammond; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Jane is preceded in death by her parents, David and Wanda McCarty, brother Greg McCarty, sister Kathy Rosenberg, and parents-in-law Dallas and Polly Koch.

A private celebration of life will occur on July 1, 2023, at Roper & Sons Funeral Home, Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a donation to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, c/o Madonna Foundation, 5401 South Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 or https://www.madonna.org/foundation in memory of Jane Koch.

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July 3, 2023

Sending my condolences to the Koch family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I never met Jane, but I have the pleasure of working with Jane’s daughter Susan. Thank you for writing this tribute to Jane and helping us learn more about her life and legacy. Working with Susan, it is no surprise that Jane was intelligent, kind-hearted, and fun to be with. Wishing you all the best as you go through this difficult time.

– Heidi Koester

July 2, 2023

So sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. She was my mentor teacher when I started my teaching career in Franklin and was such a great support.

– Carol Hess

June 29, 2023

I had great admiration for Jane, and I remember this event in particular: I was a third grade teacher at Longfellow School, and my reading program was walking my students to the public library to choose books. Then, as now, parents were vigilant, and I would discourage books as “scary” if I thought they were inappropriate. I wish I could recall the series that was popular then. It was appropriate for third graders but the author had also written a series for older children that was a little risque, and I was uncomfortable with that. One day, walking to Longfellow, I met two sixth graders who were walking to Morton. When I learned they were Jane’s students, I asked if they’d read books from that third grade series, and they said, “Yes. we read several, and they were all the same–repetitious and boring.” That was a powerful way to discourage poor literature! I live in Lincoln. Oh, how I wish I’d known Jane was here!

– Nancy Packard

June 28, 2023

Hi Jim – I want to let you know that we are thinking of you during this time of celebrating Jane’s life and facing the sorry of her absence. It was great knowing you at K N Energy. I remember you fondly. Lovingly, Sandra Wimer

– Sandra Wimer

June 25, 2023

Mrs. Koch was my 6th grade teacher at Morton Elementary. I was so devastated to see her obituary in the newspaper this morning and I am sending my condolences to her family. Mrs. Koch and I kept in touch over the years, she even came to my wedding. I grew up and became a teacher because she made such a big impact in my life. I especially enjoyed the butterfly garden and tracking monarchs in class. Thank you for sharing her with me, and the rest of her students.

– Katie (Gayman) Schroder

June 25, 2023

Nancy’s daughter, Amy, was a wonderful childhood friend who I had overnight stays with on occasion when in elementary school. I will always remember that Nancy allowed for the bathtub to be filled close to the top so Amy and I could bathe and play at her home in Campbell. I also remember having Banquet chicken for the first time at her home in the country. I remember Nancy as a beautiful and kind person, as well as were Jim, Amy and Susan. May you all be comforted by your memories of Nancy “Jane.”

– Cristy Grams Mulanax

June 23, 2023

I was a senior in high school and she asked me to do some sewing, my first sewing job that I was paid for! She was always so nice. Our deepest sympathy to you all.

– Duane and Cindy Grams Anwiler

June 23, 2023

I had the pleasure of teaching at Morton with Jane. I remember the excitement of the students as the butterfly garden evolved. Jane was a powerful teacher and a strong advocate for students. Her quick wit helped us remember the power of laugher after a long days.