MRS. BECHTOLD

Ann Marie Bechtold, 90, of Augusta, Kentucky  passed away the afternoon of Wednesday, August 27, 2025, surrounded by many who loved her.  Ann was born to Harold and Francis Krauser in Portsmouth, Ohio and spent her childhood growing up in Chillicothe, Ohio. Ann was the middle daughter born between her older sister Katy and younger brother, Jim.  She attended Chillicothe Catholic Central High School and later, the College of Mt. Saint Joseph of Cincinnati, where she would meet her lifelong best friend Pam Freihofer. Ann and Pam both studied to be teachers and took their first teaching jobs in Cincinnati after graduation, rooming together as they navigated early adulthood.

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Ann met Gene Bechtold on a blind date in the late 50s and the two were married on July 9th, 1960. They bought their first home in Fort Mitchell, KY and had their son Marty in December 1962. Gene and Ann raised Marty in Fort Mitchell, proud to send him to St. Xavier High School and continue a legacy of Catholic education that Ann valued so deeply. During Marty’s early elementary years, Ann returned to school herself and earned her master’s degree from Xavier University. Her teaching career spanned another 30+ years at Beechwood Schools  teaching both 4th and 6th grades. During school breaks she and Gene would frequent some of their favorite travel destinations – the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and Hope Town in the Bahamas.

 

One of the great themes in Ann’s life was community. When she and Gene moved to Augusta, KY upon their retirement, they discovered a remarkable community. Ann loved her St. Augustine parish where she could walk to Mass and light a candle for whomever was in her prayers. Ann and Gene both could often be found in rocking chairs on their front porch sipping a bourbon, waving to everyone, and chatting with anyone who stopped by to share a smile, a laugh, and a story.

 

Ann was proud of her community, her faith, her family, and her sports teams. How lucky those who loved Ann are to have known her love and her pride for us in return. Notre Dame Football, the Bengals, Xavier Basketball, and the Reds have never had a fan cheering as loudly as you would find Ann – or sitting as close to the television.

 

Ann is survived by her son, Marty (Naomi) Bechtold, granddaughter Bridget Ann Bechtold, her nieces Clare (Charlie) Kurz, Annie (Scott)  Kurz, Kathy Kurz, Tracy (Doug) Fincher, her sister-in-law Merrily Krauser and many great-nieces and nephews. Ann joins her husband, Gene Bechtold, her beloved grandson, Bryant Bechtold, her sister Katy Kurz and Katy’s husband Jim, brother Jim Krauser, niece Kelly Krauser Knott, and nephew-in-law Mike Savonis in heaven to watch over all those who adore them.

 

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Augustine Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM with a reception immediately following.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Augusta Art Guild, 116 Main Street, Augusta, Kentucky 41002 or St. Augustine Catholic Church, 215 East Fourth Street, Augusta, Kentucky, 41002 in memory of Ann.

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