Bernadette F. “Bernie” Koch, age 68 of Clinton, passed away Tuesday Nov. 16, 2021 at MercyOne Medical Center, Clinton. Visitation will be held Monday, November 22 from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Mass will be held 11:00 AM Monday, also at Prince of Peace. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Clinton. Memorials may be given to the Sisters of St. Francis, the Canticle. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.

Bernie was born on April 5, 1953 in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Karl and Kay (Thyne) Spittler. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1971 and received her Associates Degree from Marycrest College in Davenport. She married David Koch on April 20, 1974 in Clinton. Bernie worked as an office manager for Allied Business and Domestic Plumbing, in the billing office of Medical Associates, and in the kitchen at the Canticle.

Bernie was well known for her steadfast faith and fierce spirit. She was an active member of Prince of Peace Parish and an associate of the Sisters of St. Francis. She attended church nearly every Sunday until the pandemic hit, and volunteered as a lector and eucharistic minister. She also worked with the youth at church for many years and enjoyed seeing them grow in their faith. She enjoyed sewing, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family, and she was especially devoted to her many nieces and nephews. Bernie loved helping people; if someone asked her for help, she would often be halfway through accomplishing a task before the person finished making their request. She was the first to jump in when anyone needed help, whether it was grading papers for her kids’ elementary school classes, sewing costumes for Halloween or a school play, or driving someone to an appointment. She was a hard worker and tackled any challenge head-on. She had a great sense of humor and could always be counted on for a smart remark or funny comment, and could make friends with just about anyone. Above all, she loved spending time with the people she cared about, especially if family traditions like Spittler Christmas, Christmas eggs Benedict, or her favorite Des Moines tacos were involved.

Bernie is survived by her daughter, Erin Koch of Clinton; her son, James (Andrea Amundson) Koch of Seattle, WA; four sisters, Marie Spittler and Jane (David) Hayes, both of Clinton, Marcia (Dan) Engler of Nevada, IA, and Virginia (Ken) Kelly of Spirit Lake, IA; five brothers, Joe (Jayne) Spittler of Woodstock, IL, Richard (Kay) Spittler, Mark (Pam) Spittler, Tony (Janet) Spittler, and Matthew Spittler, all of Clinton; and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband David, and her sister Barbara.