Koenig, Loren William --- 1925-2005

SCHLEE, KOENIG, SNITKER, KOESTER

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 4/29/2013 at 09:40:20

Loren Koenig

A memorial service for Loren Koenig was held Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia, Iowa, with Rev.Dave L. Lenth officiating. 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. He died Sunday, April 24, 2005, surrounded by his loving family, at his home in Postville. He was 79 years old.

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 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, including a 1952 Model A. It was the first new tractor he ever owned. Last summer he led the procession of 19 antique tractors owned by Loren's family in the Castalia Tractor Days.

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

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

He is survived by his lifelong partner, Ruby; four sons, Roger and Janet of Ossian, Robert and Kathleen of Cedar Rapids, Dennis and Sandy of Postville and Michael and Janice of Castalia; nine grandchildren, Justin Koenig, Jill (Chris) Pasbrig, Nicole (Dave) Unkrich, Melanie (Nathan) Hessler, Ryan (Lindsay) Koenig, Misty Koenig (Greg Freidhof), Travis Koenig, Luther (Rebecca) Koenig, and Marcee Koenig; 12 great-grandchildren, Lauren Pasbrig, Bryson and Kellen Unkrich, John, Grace, and Samuel Hessler, Brett and Hailey Bodensteiner, Ben and Shannon Freidhof, and Benjamin and Helson Koenig.

Also surviving are three brothers, Harlan (Lorraine) Koenig of Frankville; Leonard Koenig of Postville, and Verne (Ardith) Koenig of Decorah; three sisters-in-law: Bernice Koenig of Decorah, Gwenn Koenig of Castalia and LaVerne Koester of West Union; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Waukon, Iowa Standard newspaper, May 4, 2005