Edna Anna Ruth Koch, the sixth child of Dan and Marie Baechtle Koch, was born in Beloit, KS on Jan. 16, 1892. She attended the Beloit grade and high schools, graduating in 1910. She taught five years in Mitchell County rural schools. She was a life member of the Lutheran Church in Beloit. She helped her father in the grocery store during the summers.

While teaching in the Fairview area she met Lester St. Clair Birch, son of Will and Clara Wehl Birch, and they were married in 1915 at her parent's home. To this union were born two sons, Will Buard and Milford Dan. A part of both Lester and Edna died when their second son, Milford, was killed in a plane crash at Phoenix, AZ while he was serving in the US Air Force in 1943.

Lester's father Will started building a large new house on the Birch farm northeast of Beloit before Edna and Lester were married, but he died before completing the house. Lester completed the house, making a home for his mother and foster sister, Josie Bland, until she was ready to leave home. Edna and Lester made their home there for 54 years. Lester was a successful farmer and stockman, raising wheat, cattle and sheep. The Birches took part in the community affairs, being Democratic township committee man and woman for 18 years. Lester belonged to the Masons and they both were Eastern Star members at one time. They enjoyed dancing, playing pinochle and reading. Edna was always interested in local, state and world affairs and remained informed on these issues up until her death.

In March 1970 they moved into an apartment at 717 N. Bell, just south of the home of Edna's sister Clara. Lester became senile and Edna was very patient with him until his death in 1973. Edna's health began to fail soon after Lester's death when she developed heart failure. She was rushed to the hospital a number of times with fluid on her lungs. On April 15, 1977, she died in the Beloit Hospital and was buried at the Scottsville cemetery.