Barbara Joyce (Koch) Tiberghien

Barbara Joyce Tiberghien, nee Koch, of Steelville, MO and formerly of Wesco, MO, was born on Tuesday, July 6, 1943 in St. Louis, MO to Louis August Koch and Virginia Jane Koch, nee Rutledge.  She passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024 surrounded by her family in Steelville, MO at the age of 80 years, 9 months and 1 day.

Barbara graduated from Riverview Gardens High School and then went to the Lutheran Medical Center School of Nursing both in St. Louis, MO.  She later graduated from Lincoln University with her degree in Education.  She married Douglas Arthur Tiberghien, on September 19, 1970 in St. Louis, MO and together they had six children.  In the Fall of 1990, Barbara began working for the Steelville School District , where she touched many kids lives in the elementary and also in special education.  She was a member of the Missouri Retired Teacher's Association, PTA, Progressive Club and Aim High Extension Club.  She was a 4H Leader, Girl Scout Leader, was active in the Band Booster and Athletic Booster Clubs and enjoyed the Ladies Bible Study in Steelville.  Barbara loved traveling extensively.  She enjoyed going to visit the State Parks, she went to the Middle East, enjoyed Branson with her grandchildren and she would take a yearly trip to the Missouri State Fair.  She was a history buff and enjoyed visiting plantations; she also went on a trip for teachers to see the educational system in London.  Barbara enjoyed camping, was always up for an adventure and went white water rafting in 2012.  She loved gardening and also landscaping.  She enjoyed going to auctions, was an avid reader, was a proud child advocate supporter for CASA and went to many Alabama concerts with Doug.  The highlight of her life was time spent with family.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.

She was preceded in death by her husband Douglas Tiberghien; parents Louis and Virginia Koch; parents-in-law Lafayette, II. and Bertha Tiberghien; brothers-in-law Lafayette (Helen) Tiberghien, III. and Jesse (Carol) Tiberghien; sisters-in-law Lenore Mae (Frank “Bud”) Gardner and Phoebe “Ann” Tiberghien; son-in-law Stephan White; granddaughter Megan Johnson; grandsons Eddie Fedison, Jr. and Anthony Risko.

Barbara is survived by her children Christine Santhuff, Jennifer (Michael) Strauch and Lisa White all of Steelville, MO, Carrie (Ryan) Spoores of Waynesville, MO, Lori (Ed) Fedison of NJ and Dawn Tiberghien of Las Vegas, NV; foster child Josh Stephens of Newburg, MO; siblings Patricia Austin, JoAnn (Ron) Bell both of Union, MO, Jackie (John) Auer of Eureka, MO and Louis "Bud" Koch of New Melle, MO; grandchildren Olivia Santhuff (Adam Craghead) of Republic, MO, Amelia Santhuff (fiancé Dylan Sobczak) of Ballwin, MO, Bradley White and Zachary White both of Columbia, MO, Bradly White of Belle, MO, Brandon (Trina) White of St. James, MO, Trevor (Tonya) White of Rolla, MO, Ryan (Sarah) Courtois of Sullivan, MO, Logan Courtois (fiancée Amber McCoy) of Republic, MO, Connie Fedison of NJ and Brittany (John) Wrabel of OH;  9 great grandchildren Shaddix, Liam, Braylee, Paxtyn, Forrest, Iris, Stephan, Jack, Mylah and 1 on the way; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Memorial Service immediately followed at 1:30 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  The Memorial Service was live-streamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO's Facebook Page.  Following Barbara's wishes, the family chose cremation as her final disposition.  In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to the Steelville R-3 Backpack Program.  Donations received will be given in Barbara's honor for children in the Steelville R-3 School District.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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