Eva Koch shakes Red Deer City Mayor Morris Flewwelling’s hand as Flewwelling greets her and her son, Rod Kosh, during the celebration of her 102 birthday at the Valley Park Manor, Saturday. Koch whose parents emigrated from the United States grew up on a farm near Joffre, where her parents homestead still stands. Koch started teaching school at the age of 19 at South Buffalo Lake, where she had to walk several miles to school in the winter. Later she moved to Alix where she met her husband, Helmet. Koch also taught in several communities including Wainwright and Edmonton and ran a country store, a record shop and a restaurant before moving to Red Deer 25 years ago. Among her two children, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren Koch is know for her love of pastel and oil paintings, knitting, and healthy appetite. Koch doesn’t turns 102 until Monday, but her family and friends are already planing next years birthday party.