01/12/1932 – 08/03/2024

Anadarko, OK

Joan Umsted Koch passed from this life on August 3, 2024, at the age of 92 years, 6 months, and 22 days. She was born in Fort Scott Kansas, on January 12, 1932, to Paul and Lilly Mae Umsted, and moved to Anadarko at a young age.

She attended Anadarko Public Schools and graduated in the class of 1950. She was a long-time member of the First Christian Church in Anadarko. She lived in Anadarko until moving to Brookdale Assisted Living in Chickasha in March of 2022. She and her little dog Parker were very happy there.

Joan was a loving wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She married C. Allen Koch Sr. on April 8, 1952. To this union were born three sons and a daughter, Allen Jr., Steve, Kent, and Karen.

After graduating from USAO she furthered her college degree at Southwestern and obtained a Master’s Degree. Joan taught art at Anadarko High School for 16 years. After retirement, she and her husband Allen enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending weeks at the lake until his health declined.

Joan didn’t let age slow her down. She was a very talented artist and excelled in anything she tried. She started making quilts in her 70s, painting gourds in her 80s and made everyone a crocheted scarf or hat for Christmas in her 90s. She also loved raising orchids and planting flowers every spring.

Joan is survived by a son Kent Koch and his wife Julie of Anadarko, a daughter Karen Sullivan and her husband Kim of Weatherford Oklahoma, 8 grandchildren, Steve Koch of Ft. Cobb, Brian Koch of Ft. Cobb, Kory Koch and wife Christen of Blacksburg, Virginia, Megan Klusmeyer and husband Kraig of Anadarko, Zach Sullivan and wife Becca of Weatherford, Jake Sullivan and wife Michelle of Weatherford, Kylee Wallace and husband Joel of Salina Kansas, and Tucker Sullivan and wife Elizabeth of Edmond, 10 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Lilly Umsted, her brother Glen Umsted, husband Allen Sr. two sons, Allen Jr. and Steve, a grandson Jesse Sullivan, and a great-grandson Aiden Sullivan.

A memorial service is set to begin at 2:00 PM, on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the First Christian Church in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home in Anadarko, Oklahoma.