Loren William Koenig

KOENIG, KOESTER, SNITKER, SCHLEE

Posted By: Patricia
Date: 8/25/2007 at 13:16:38

Decorah Newspaper Monday, May 02, 2005

Loren Koenig

Monday, May 02, 2005

Loren Koenig, 79, died Sunday, April 24, 2005, surrounded by his loving family, at his home in Postville.

A memorial service was Wednesday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia. The Rev. Dave Lenth officiated.

Marlys Hager was organist. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia.

The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements.

Loren William Koenig was born May 13, 1925 to Fred H. Koenig and Alma (Schlee) Koenig, on the family farm in Bloomfield Township, Winneshiek County, near Castalia.

Loren Koenig began his faith journey with baptism and confirmation in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. He attended Oak Hill Country School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945.

April 10, 1947 he was married to Ruby Jean Snitker in the Salem United Church of Christ, south of Waukon. To this union, four sons were born.

The couple farmed together in the Castalia area for over 58 years.

They moved to Postville in 1980 and Loren Koenig continued to help his sons with their work on the farms.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia and served as church council president, councilman and trustee, and taught Sunday school for many years.

He was a founding member of the Winneshiek County Historical Society and was a trustee for Bloomfield Township. He was honored to be named grand marshal for the Castalia Tractor Days. He was the recipient of the Winneshiek County Master Soil Conservation Award for 1958.

Loren Koenig farmed with restored and collected John Deere two-cylinder tractors. The tractor on display today is a 1952 Model A. It was the first new tractor he ever owned. Last summer he lead the procession of 19 antique tractors owned by his family in the Castalia Tractor Days.

Loren Koenig’s ready, firm handshake greeted everyone he knew and conveyed his sincere love for the Lord and his concern for others. He touched many lives during his journey on the earth and set a beautiful example for others to follow.

He is survived by his lifelong partner, Ruby; four sons: Roger and Janet Koenig, Ossian; Robert and Kathleen Koenig, Cedar Rapids; Dennis and Sandy Koenig, Postville and Michael and Janice Koenig, Castalia; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Harlan (Lorraine) Koenig, Frankville; Leonard Koenig, Postville; Verne (Ardith) Koenig, Decorah; three sisters-in-law: Bernice Koenig, Decorah; Gwenn Koenig, Castalia and LaVerne Koester, West Union, and many nieces and nephews.

Loren Koenig was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Ronelle; two brothers: Milton and Earl, and a sister-in-law, Florence Koenig.