Margaret Mary Koch, 88, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, passed away on October 8, 2026, at Blue Heron Senior Living. She was born on December 21, 1937, in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada, to Bernard Parsons and Ethel Alexander. Margaret was proud to become a United States citizen and was devoted to her family, her community, and the many creative talents she shared with others.

Margaret was a high school graduate who dedicated much of her life to being a homemaker, seamstress, quilter, baker, and craft enthusiast. She was an award-winning seamstress and designed angel dresses that she generously donated to local Tampa hospitals. She also volunteered at hospitals and found great joy in using her talents to bring comfort and happiness to others. Although she did not serve in the military herself, she proudly supported her husband as a military wife for 20 years.

One of Margaret’s most cherished traditions was her extraordinary Christmas village, which expanded across multiple rooms of her home. Her beautiful display was featured in Yellowstone Valley Women’s Magazine and on a local news channel. Margaret welcomed visitors into her home to enjoy the display and encouraged guests to bring toys for Toys for Tots and canned goods for the local food bank. Through this tradition, she shared the magic of Christmas while giving back to her community.

Margaret was married to Herman R. Koch in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada, and later to Karl Backman in Rochester, Minnesota. Both of her husbands preceded her in death. Her greatest joy was her family, and she will be remembered for her generosity, creativity, kindness, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

She is survived by her children, Stephanie Koch Streed and her husband, Michael Streed, and their children, Benjamin, Joshua and his wife, Laura, Meredith, and Alice; Patricia (Koch) Allred, whose husband, Howard Allred, preceded her in death; Herman Koch and his wife, Marybeth, and their children, Matthew, Lauren Morris and her husband, Dale, and Jacob and his wife, Christina; Michael Koch and his wife, Misuk, and their children, Alejandro and Miguel; and Steven Koch and his wife, Sara. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Sadie, Nolan, Meredith, and Alice, along with extended family and friends who will cherish her memory.

Margaret’s legacy lives on through the family she loved, the beautiful creations she shared, and the countless lives she touched through her generosity and compassion. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.