this morning we unexpectedly and sadly lost the matriarch of my wife's family, her grandmother, mother of thirteen children, grandmother and great grandmother to many, many more. grandma loved to eat, was a hell of a good cook in her day and never turned down a meal... good, bad or otherwise. you could always look in grandma's freezer and find leftovers from the last four bar-b-ques... being the mother of thirteen kids was a hard habit to break, she never threw out one scrap of food...I once joked that if we dug deep enough in that freezer we would find a dinosaur steak...after a good laugh she told me I was probably right. we love her & will miss her in our lives and at our family gatherings...she was grandma to everybody who knew her, even to those who were not hers... alot of family and friends coming to town, so we have many mouths to feed this week....many mouths who share fond memories of backyard gatherings, bar-b-ques and good times with grandma, thank you everybody im just remembering the great times we've had around the back yards of this family over the years...and thank you grandma, without you in our lives none of those memories could exists... R.I.P. Mrs Laura Marie Holscher. age 81 but forever timeless, forever remembered, and always with love...Laura Marie Koch Holscher -

Laura Marie Koch Holscher, 81 of Lehigh Acres, FL died on April 26, 2009 at her home. She was born in Mt. Vernon, New York on April 12, 1928 to William Albert Koch ("Na") and Theresa Krontilik Koch. She married John Henry Holscher Jr., on June 5, 1948. They were married 41 years before John's death, and they had 13 children.

Laura lived in Ossining, NY until 1978, when she and John retired to Lehigh Acres. Laura worked for Railway Express, Reader's Digest and Maryknoll Missionaries in the bookkeeping department. She worked (mostly at night) through the birth of her 7th child. She was active in the St. Augustine Elementary School PTA, in Ossining, as well as the Mary Immaculate High School PTA and Drama Club in Ossining.

Her hobbies included bingo which she religiously attended, reading, travel and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchild.

Laura is survived by 6 sons and 5 daughters: Theresa (William) Leonard of St. Inigoes, MD; John (Barbara) Holscher III, of New London, NC; Marion Parker of Sugar Grove, VA; Dorothy (Carmine) Maugeri, of Port Orange, FL; Virginia (Frederick) Del Lago, of Ellenton, FL; William A. Holscher of New England; Charles (Dina) Holscher of Hiwassee, VA; Edward (Mary Jo) Holscher of Lehigh Acres, FL; Alice (Alan) Gaines, of Ruffin, NC; George (Stacey) Holscher of Chesapeake, VA; Donald (Angel) Holscher of Lehigh Acres, FL; and Rosalind (Lou) Goz of Lehigh Acres, FL. She is also survived by her brother William Koch of Croton-on-Hudson NY; sister Marie Gibbons of Kingston, NY; and brother George (Mary) Koch of Surprise, AZ. Laura is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and 16 nieces and nephews.

Laura is predeceased by her husband John Henry Holscher Jr. (3/18/90), her father William Albert Koch (5/31/78), her mother Theresa Krontilik Koch (2/10/65), daughter Laura M. Hriskonich (2/25/04), son Robert (Jacqueline) Holscher (4/7/09), grandson Christopher J. Costa (4/23/97), and nieces Teresa Coyne and Patricia Bohrer.

Visitation hours will be Thursday April 30 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM with Scripture services at 7:00 PM at Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home, 12777 Sate Rd 82. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice or Habitat for Humanity.

Laura was a dedicated mother, raising not only her own children but taking in other children when the need arose. She loved her husband dearly and was passionate about her love for her grandchildren, great children and great great-grandchild. Laura was a loyal friend and neighbor, keeping in touch with all, as evidenced by her overflowing address book. She passed her strength on to all who met her. In memory of Laura, take a picture and remember, instead of "cheese" it's "say sex!"