Amy was born on March 22nd 1966 to Nancy “Jane” McCarty and David Preston in Louisville, Kentucky. Jane met James “Jim” Koch in April of 1970. They were married on September 26th 1970 and the family moved to Nebraska that same year. Amy welcomed a sister in 1971, when Susan Katherine was born. Amy graduated from Campbell High School in Campbell, Ne in 1983. She attended Hastings College for 1 year as an Art Major. In the fall of 1984, she transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she graduated with her Bachelors degree in English and German and a Masters degree in Anthropology. She began working for the Nebraska State Historical Society in 1989 as a highway archaeologist. Amy worked on many archeological projects and was an esteemed member of her field.
Amy met Rex Rodenbaugh in 1983 and the two were married on December 24, 1986. To this union were born, Connor Henri in October of 1995, and Madeline Ruth in April of 1998. Amy and Rex moved their family from Lincoln, NE to Harrison, NE in August of 1998. Amy continued working for the Historical Society with an office at Fort Robinson State Park. Amy was an active member in the community and was instrumental in the addition of the Butterfly Garden at the Sioux County Public Library, where she was also active on the Library Board. Amy always encouraged reading and passed this passion on to her children.
Amy was a gifted poet and writer. Her work was published in Elkhorn Review, Nebraska, English Counselor, Nebraska Review, Plainsongs, and had a chapbook, “Columbine Hunter” published by Broncho Press. Amy continued to write throughout her life.
Rex and Amy divorced in 2014 and were dedicated, loving coparents. They remained a part of each other’s lives until Amy’s passing.
In 2015 Amy was in a car accident that left her paralyzed. She fought not only to survive her injury but to thrive. She began painting in 2016 and created many beautiful works of art that her family cherishes.
Amy is survived by her ex-husband Rex Rodenbaugh, son Connor Rodenbaugh and daughter Madeline Rodenbaugh, father Jim Koch, sister Susan Fager, mother-in-law Wanda Rodenbaugh as well as aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many friends.
Amy is preceded in death by her mother, Jane Koch, her aunt Kathy McCarty, her uncle Greg McCarty, her maternal grandparents David and Wanda McCarty, her uncle Allen “Barry” Preston, paternal grandparents Leo and Eula Preston, her father Jim’s parents Dallas and Polly Koch, and father-in-law Roy Rodenbaugh.
Amy was gentle, kind, and a lover of animals. She possessed unique strength and an unwavering determination to make the best of everything in her life. She was a mother, a bright shining light, an artist, and will be loved and remembered always.
A private celebration of life will occur on July 13th at Roper & Sons Funeral Home in Lincoln, Ne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a donation to QLI or the Nebraska Humane Society.