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Pat Koch's life

  • Pat Koch makes her way through the entire theme park before lunch. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Pat Koch makes her way through the entire theme park before lunch.

  • Koch is in constant contact with staff, alerting them to problems or calling in questions. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Koch is in constant contact with staff, alerting them to problems or calling in questions.

  • Koch pitches in at food stands during the busy lunch rush. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Koch pitches in at food stands during the busy lunch rush.

  • Long lines, for food or at rides, are a pet peeve. Helping to serve drinks gets customers back into the park. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Long lines, for food or at rides, are a pet peeve. Helping to serve drinks gets customers back into the park.

  • Koch stays at the park entrance each day until the incoming lines slow. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Koch stays at the park entrance each day until the incoming lines slow.

  • Visitors have seen Koch on Holiday World TV ads for years, so many speak to her as if they already know her. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Visitors have seen Koch on Holiday World TV ads for years, so many speak to her as if they already know her.

  • Koch says every day should be a good day for park visitors. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Koch says every day should be a good day for park visitors.

  • Holiday World is an extension of her home, Koch says. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Holiday World is an extension of her home, Koch says.

  • Koch's father, Jim Yellig, was a WWI veteran. He often had Koch perform at special occasions like this Memorial Day service in the early 1940s. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Koch's father, Jim Yellig, was a WWI veteran. He often had Koch perform at special occasions like this Memorial Day service in the early 1940s.

  • Santa Jim Yellig reviewed boxes of letters from children in 1956 writing Santa at his Indiana address. He responded years before the park opened. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Santa Jim Yellig reviewed boxes of letters from children in 1956 writing Santa at his Indiana address. He responded years before the park opened.

  • In the 1950s, advertising signs were posted on rural roads throughout southern Indiana. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    In the 1950s, advertising signs were posted on rural roads throughout southern Indiana.

  • Pat Yellig was a sister and nurse with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in St. Louis for 10 years. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Pat Yellig was a sister and nurse with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in St. Louis for 10 years.

  • Bill and Pat Koch married in December 1960. Her parents, Santa Jim and Isabelle Yellig, posed with the newlyweds. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Bill and Pat Koch married in December 1960. Her parents, Santa Jim and Isabelle Yellig, posed with the newlyweds.

  • Bill, Will, Philip, Pat, Natalie, Dan and Kristi Koch at an area restaurant in the early 1970s. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Bill, Will, Philip, Pat, Natalie, Dan and Kristi Koch at an area restaurant in the early 1970s.

  • Members of the Christmas Lake Village Garden Club help Koch respond to letters to Santa. - Photos by: Perry Reichanadter

    Members of the Christmas Lake Village Garden Club help Koch respond to letters to Santa.