Koenig, Randall Lee -- 1954 - 1964

ALBRIGHT, KOENIG, PUFAHL

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 5/30/2004 at 08:39:56

RANDALL LEE KOENIG

Randall Lee Koenig, son of Merlin and Patricia Albright Koenig, was born at the Decorah Hospital, February 23, 1954. He passed away October 2, 1964 at the age of ten years, seven months and nine days.

His death came after 83 days of hospitalization following an accidental fire that also took the life of his ten year old cousin, Leon Koenig on July 12.

Randy was an energetic boy, interested in all moving things and especially jets and airplanes, plus having a penny and rock collection and belonging to a nature program. While in the hospital he enjoyed the many cards, letters and gifts that came to him. He was especially thrilled when he was able to go down the hall in his wheel chair and get the mail at the desk himself. He always liked to go to Sunday School and church and enjoyed attending the Bible School with the Forest Mills group the past summer.

He had completed his fourth grade of school at the Cora B. Darling Elementary School at Postville, and was looking forward to having school through an intercom system this fall. He was getting along well and able to be around in his wheel chair until about a month ago when he suffered a Cardiac Arrest, or heart stoppage, as he was being prepared for the last major skin grafting on his face. Since that time he was only semi-conscious and unable to speak, but enjoyed watching and listening to T.V.

Randy was preceded in death by his grandfather, Blake L. Albright. He is survived by his parents, one brother Darwin, two sisters, Cynthia and Donna, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Koenig, Mrs. Florence Albright and great grandmother, Mrs. Carrie B. Pufahl of Rossville and a host of relatives and friends.

Services were Monday afternoon at 1:30 from the Castalia E. U. B. Church with the pastor, Rec. Curtis H. Webster, officiating. Burial was made in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia.

The following article tells of the fire that ended up taking Randall Koenig life:

10-Year Old Boy Dies From Burns, Castalia Blaze

One of the worst explosions and fires in the history of Castalia early Saturday evening, July 11, took the life of a ten-year-old boy, burned down the Albright oil station, caused damage to other business buildings and threatened the entire town.

The explosion occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m., rocking the building off its foundation. Two 10-year-old boys were in the building at the time of the explosion. Leon L. Koenig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Koenig of Castalia, suffered fatal burns and died Sunday in the Community Memorial Hospital at Postville. His cousin, Randy Koenig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Koenig of Castalia, also was badly burned. Randy's condition is reported to be slowly improving at the hospital.

The two Koenig boys were the only occupants of the 30 x 60 foot building when the tragic blast occurred. They managed to run from the back door of the building, their clothes in flames. Leo O'Hara went to their assistance. He wrapped them in blankets to extinguish the flames and assisted by Harlan Stee, Jr., then took them to the hospital.

The station is owned by Mrs. Florence Albright, who has been operating it with the assistance of Bobbie Szabo and Ed Schnuelle. An apartment in the building was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dave Breitsprecher, who were not present when the fire started. They lost all of their personal belongings, but reported they have insurance which well cover their loss.

Witnesses said window screens were blown off the building and landed across the street. The house was moved about one foot off its foundation. A large plate glass window in the post office building across the street was cracked and shingles on the front of the tavern directly opposite the service station were blistered by the heat. A garage building east of the station was on fire for a time until firemen put out the flames.

Volunteer firemen from Castalia, Ossian, Calmar, Frankville and Postville were called to the site. They prevented the two large storage gasoline tanks from being touched off by the flames.

A representative from the state fire marshal's office conducted an investigation on Monday. He said it was possible the explosion and resulting fire could have been caused by gasoline fumes. An underground tank had been filled with gasoline Saturday morning and it was his opinion that the fumes may have collected in the basement of the station.

Mrs. Albright announced she will rebuild the station as soon as possible. She was unable to estimate the loss, but reported that it was partially covered by insurance.

Both articles from the Postville Herald, hand dated 1964, from my mother's obituary collection.

Submitter is not related -- posted for the benefit of others.