Mary Ann Koch Blackledge

M ary A nn K och B lackledge, age 88, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away at Centennial Park Retirement Village on January 1, 2022.

Mary Ann was born near Gandy, NE, to Russell and Mayden Morton on October 2, 1933. After graduating from Gandy High School in 1951 she attended business school in Denver then moved to North Platte where she worked for Kunkel Auto Supply.

In November of 1954 Mary Ann married Skip Koch in North Platte. Since Skip was serving in the Army, they lived in Germany and that is where their boys, Rusty and Bob, were born. The family eventually returned to Nebraska and settled on the Koch family farm, south of Hershey.

Mary Ann worked for Neal Baxter at the Lincoln County Extension Agency for several years and for Hershey Schools until moving to North Platte in 1968.
She then took a job at the Telegraph and worked there for 28 years, earning Press Woman Awards both locally and nationally for her work.

On September 17, 1994, Mary Ann married Keith Blackledge. They made their home in North Platte and were members of First Presbyterian Church.

Mary Ann was involved with many organizations and groups over the years including P.E.O. Chapter E.B. She participated in a book club, did strength training at the Senior Center, and was in the aquacize Water Lilies group at the Rec Center.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Blackledge, and former husband, Skip Koch; her parents, Russell and Mayden Morton; sisters, Betty Johnson and Mildred Morton; and brothers, Robert and Russell Morton.

Survivors include her sons, Rusty (Lori) Koch, of Seymour, MO, and Bob (Karen) Koch, of Hershey; stepsons, Gene Blackledge, of Minneapolis, MN, Mark (Kelly) Blackledge, of St. Joseph, MO, and Victor (Trish) Blackledge, of Cologne, MN; grandchildren, Kip (Christina) Koch, Travis (Cara) Koch, Traci (Brad) Coonts and Morgan (Kris) Talbott; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Allison, David, Alexa, Devin, Ellie, Desiree, Robbie, Gibson and Brody; as well as her special nieces and nephews and other family.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Emily McCreery officiating. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at the church. Online condolences can be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.