Irene (Pals) KOENEN

KOENEN, PALS, PEIL, MARKWARDT, THOMPSON, SUNTKEN, STEENHARD, SCHLICHTING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/20/2010 at 20:26:01

20 April 2010
Belmond Independent, Iowa

Irene Koenen, 89, of Meservey died April 16, 2010 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Services were held at the First Reformed Church in Meservey with interment at Meservey Cemetery. Irene Koenen was born January 23, 1921 at Alexander, a daughter of Herman and Dena (Peil) Pals. She attended school in Alexander and Thornton, graduating with the Thornton Class of 1938. Irene worked as a hired girl doing childcare and housework for family members. She married Virgil Wayne Koenen after he returned from war on January 10, 1946. They farmed southwest of Meservey. Irene and Virgil retired from farming in the late 1970's and moved into Meservey. Irene was active with the Reformed Church Women's Ministry, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Golden Years club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband (1995); and brother Glen. Survivors include her daughter Patricia (Roy) Markwardt of Swaledale; son Darwin (Genelle) Koenen of Boone and daughter Pamela (Mark) Thompson of Clear Lake; grandchildren Chad Markwardt, Justin (Wendy) Markwardt, Leslie Koenen, Monica Koenen, Natalie Koenen, Sara Thompson and Andy Thompson; five great-grandchildren; sister Berniece (Herman) Suntken; brother Robert Pals; special sister-in-law Phyllis Steenhard; and sister-in-law Lois Schlichting.