Margareta Koch
February 15, 1940 ~ September 19, 2026
Born in:
Njurunda, Vasternorrland, Sweden
Resided in:
Arden, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly TrailMargareta Koch, age 86, of Arden, NC, passed away on September 19, 2026 at home.
Born Margareta Elisabet Johansson on February 15, 1940 in Njurunda, Vasternorrland, Sweden to Margit and Gunnar Johansson, Margareta lived a life defined by strength, beauty, and love for her family.
After graduating from secondary school in Sundsvall, she briefly studied in Stockholm before embarking on her American adventure. She came to New York City in 1964 where she used her language skills at the World’s Fair, working for IBM as a translator. In June of 1965 she married Paul F Williams and together they had two children. After Paul’s passing in 1985, she found love again and married Albert P Koch in 1992.
Elegant and chic, Margareta will be remembered for her natural eye for design and her talent at making even the simplest spaces beautiful. She was often a resource to friends and neighbors for home decorating advice, having worked in the industry a number of years. A great hostess, no one could match her annual Christmas Julbord.
Margareta is survived by her husband, Albert Koch, her brother, Ingemar Johansson, and her children, Philip Erik Williams (Christopher Schnittker), Louise Margareta Heintzelman (Martin Heintzelman), grandsons Martin and Erik, and step-son, Robert Koch (Denege Prudhomme) and their daughter Vivienne. Margareta was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Williams, her sister, Ingrid Johansson, and her step-son, Albert M Koch.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the Cliffs Walnut Cove in Arden, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to American Swedish Historical Museum, https://shop.americanswedish.org/Donations.aspx Select: Tribute and Memorial Gift, the Asheville Humane Society https://www.ashevillehumane.org/get-involved/other-ways-to-give/, Select: Donate Online and then Tribute Gift or the Asheville Symphony https://ashevillesymphony.org/
Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.
Services
Celebration of Life: October 17, 2026 2:00 pm
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 687-3530
http://grocefuneralhome.com
one another. God Bless her in heaven may she be at peace. 🙏❤️
With heartfelt sympathy,
Dawn
We are however grateful that we stayed in touch over the years, even across thousands of miles. Your thoughtfulness never showed a trace of distance.
We hold many fond memories of you and of us in our youth along with the visits when you came to Sweden.
Our deepest condolences to your beloved family.
With love always
Dagmar and Marie- Louise
Our deepest condolences to your family. Wishing your family peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time.
We members of MasterCross Charity Foundation are deeply saddened by the news of the passing away of our beloved member mother grandmother mother sister and friend
Mrs.Margareta Koch who was a passionate donor in our foundation seeking a better life for orphans around the world.
We are so sad about the news of her passing away on the 19th September 2026 and pray for her family to come together in love peace and harmony in this sad times as we pray that God grants her soul eternal peace and Happiness through Jesus Christ our Lord and personal Saviour.
Amen
We would be glad if any member of the family can contact us at Admin@Mastercrosscharityfoundation.com
for a special prayer dedicated to the family.
God bless you all.