Obituaries : Alma Ann Pech

Alma Ann Pech, 97, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away Dec. 9, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Alma Ann Pech was born Sept. 23, 1924, to Stephen J. and Theresa (Tracy Posekany) Kozik in the family home in rural Benton County, Iowa. She attended Kane No. 9 rural school, graduating from the Belle Plaine Iowa High School. She was then employed in the office of Funk Bros. Seed Co. for eight years.

She married James C. Pech at St. Michael Church, Belle Plaine. They made their home on Seventh Avenue in Belle Plaine for 61 years until his death, and she continued living there until her death.

Alma was a homemaker devoted to her family, volunteering in the school, church, care center and museum. She enjoyed sewing, picture taking, scrapbooking, food preservation, baking for her family, bowling and bicycling.

She is survived by her four children, Mary, Belle Plaine, Iowa, Jane (Tim) Balvanz, Iowa City, Iowa, Gregory (Elizabeth), Santa Rosa, Calif., and Richard (Sandra), Massillon, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Jeff Balvanz, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Pete Balvanz, Groton, Mass., Erin Balvanz, North Liberty, Iowa, Lauren (Dave) Porter, Capitola, Calif., Lesley (Brandon) Jackson, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Joseph Pech, Massillon, Ohio, and Matthew Pech, Raleigh, N.C.; and four great-grandchildren, Pepper Porter, Capitola, Cali., Dezmond and Jayden Jackson, Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Pippa Balvanz, North Liberty, Iowa. She is also survived by her brother Virgil, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to her husband, Jim, her parents and brothers, Bernard and Donald, preceded her in death.

Private family services are planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a Celebration of Life possible at a later date. Messages of support and fond memories can be sent to Alma's home, Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service or be left at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to St. Michael Parish, Belle Plaine Senior Dining or the Belle Plaine Ambulance, all of which were important to Alma.