Margareta Koch

Margareta 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.