Ana Maria Koch

Ana Maria Sierra-Koch went to her Heavenly Father’s home November 4, 2015 to be reunited with her husband of 50 years, Robert Koch. Annie (la pajarita as her late primo, Fr. David Viramontes called her) was born February 18, 1933 in Canutillo, TX the 10th and youngest child of Josefa Enriquez-Sierra (of La Union) and Estanislao Sierra (of La Mesa). Annie’s life of service began as a young girl collecting stones and whatever was needed to help build St. Patricks’s Church in Canutillo. She also assisted her mother in cooking for visiting priests and nuns and helped deliver groceries to the upper valley farming community while working at her parents’ store, the Central Market in Canutillo. Always a woman of faith and a devotion to her Lord, she served as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, RCIA instructor, and long time member of the Rosary Alter Society in various positions of office at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Annie’s passion for genealogy began after her parents’ passing in 1971 when she started working on her family trees on her manual typewriter. She was instrumental in organizing 2 large family reunions, the last consisting of more than 400 family members. Annie began working as a receptionist/teller at GECU on Missouri St. in 1956 and was later appointed as the first female manager of the Northeast office in 1974. She relished in helping her members reach their financial goals to better their families’ lives such as purchasing their first home or paying for college tuition. It was not uncommon for her to remain working late to translate for Spanish speaking members. Annie’s dedicated service to the credit union included 36 years until her retirement in 1992 and then serving on GECU’s board of directors for 17 years. Annie is survived by her 3 children, Thadine, Eric, and his wife, Vilma and Mark. She is also survived by her sister Lydia Sierra-Gallegos of Ventura, CA, sister-in-law Lencha Hernandez-Sierra of Utah, first cousin Teresa Viramontes-Holguin of Dallas and 23 nieces and nephews and many, many primos up and down the Mesilla and Mission Valleys. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 pm with a Vigil/Rosary at 7pm on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass. Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 am on Monday, November 9, 2015 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Committal Service will follow at 10:30am at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph Indian School of Chamberlin, SD, your local Humane Society, or your favorite charities will be welcomed. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.