Koenig, Loren and Ruby (Snitker)

Loren William Koenig, son of Fred and Alma (Schlie) Koenig, was born at the farm home in Bloomfield Twp. He attended rural school near his home. He never attended high school because at that time it was necessary to have the family at home working. He learned the occupation of farming as he worked with his 5 brothers: Harlen, Leonard, Verne, Milton and Earl, and his father. At a young age he became a hired hand for many of the neighbors in the area, sometimes with no, or very little pay. Loren served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. He was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri, and in South Carolina.

He married Ruby Snitker on 10 Apr 1947 at the Salem Reformed Church in Ludlow Twp, Allamakee Co. Ruby, daughter of August and Martha (Becker) Snitker, was born in Allamakee Co.

August and Martha Snitker were the parents of: Mildred (Sohn): Norma (Kruger); Loraine (Kruger); Inez (Gerleman); Florence (Koenig) and a twin brother who died in infancy; Ruby (Koenig); Laverne (Koester); and Ralph.

Ruby attended rural school near her home and Waukon High School.

Loren farmed with his brother Milton from 1945 until 1952 on the home farm in Bloomfield Twp. In 1952, Loren and Ruby and family moved to the Joe Bodensteiner farm near Ossian, IA. In 1955 they bought the farm that joined the home place in Bloomfield Twp. Loren s interest in John Deere tractors has been the beginning of a hobby that has kept him busy restoring old tractors. He also has a collection of toy tractors. Loren and Ruby have moved to Postville, IA. but they do not know the meaning of the word "retirement.'’ Loren helps his son with farming jobs when needed and works daily for Postville Quality Pig Co-op. Ruby is a clerk at the Moore's IGA Store in Postville. She also bakes and does a catering service for others. They are active members of Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia.

Their children, all born at Postville, are:

Roger served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He married Janet Ameling, daughter of Clarence and Ida Ameling, 10 Jul 1971 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ft. Atkinson. They live on an acreage near Castalia. Roger is manager of the John Deere Business, west of Decorah. Their children are: Justin  and Jill.

Robert married Kathleen Kazynski, daughter of John and Annabelle Kazynski, 20 May 1972 at St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church, Ossian. Kathleen was born in Lancaster, Wl. Robert works for Norand in Cedar Rapids, IA. where the family lives. Their children are: Nicole; Melanie and Ryan.

Dennis served in the U.S. Army, 1972 to 1974, in communications in Alaska. He married Sandra Duwe, the daughter of LeRoy and Dorothy Duwe, 15 Sep 1973 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. Sandra was born in Postville. They live near Postville where

Dennis is farming and manager of a Co-op Hog Operation. Sandra is the secretary at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Their children are: Misty married Clint Bodensteiner and has a son, Brett and Travis.

Michael married Janice Brandt, daughter of Wesley and Ethel Brandt, 30 Mar 1974 at the Frankville Presbyterian Church. Janice was born at Waukon. Mike and Janice have purchased the farm from his parents and are living there. Mike works at John Deere in Clermont, IA and Janice is employed at Luther College in Decorah. Their children are: Luther and Marcee.

Ronelle Susan (b. 23 Nov 1958) died an accidental death 28 Jun 1961 at the Postville Hospital. Her burial is in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia.

Koenig, Merlin L. and Patricia A. (Albright)

Merlin Louis Koenig was born 13 Jul 1925 to William C. and Emma Schroeder Koenig on their farm near Castalia, IA. He grew up there, walking to Oak Hill country school and playing baseball with his cousins who lived across the road. He was known as "Bun" by most family and friends. He loved the land and taking care of all the livestock. He married Patricia A. Albright 3 Nov 1945 and they were the parents of Darwin. Cynthia, Randall, Donna and Paul. He loved his family and hard work; enjoyed sports, bowling, and carpentering in his spare time. He didn’t care as much for farming with chemicals and moved north of Decorah in 1973, where he worked for CamCar Drilltite Screw Division until his death, which occurred 21 Nov 1980. He and his son Paul were just completing a pole shed before Thanksgiving when he passed away very suddenly of an aneurysm. This was a shock to everyone as he had always been in very good health. He was so loved by his family, friends and fellow workers. One of their good memories was of the snowy blizzards of March 1959 when the five families on their road got together and shoveled through the huge drifts and got to the highway before it was opened. The cans of cream were hauled by tractor and manure spreader several times before the roads were plowed open for traffic. The kids had great fun playing in the drifts as there was no school for days at a time.

Patricia Ann Albright was a daughter of Blake L. and Florence (Pufahl) Albright of Castalia. She loved riding in her daddy's gas truck and later driving it. She attended Castalia and Postville schools, liked tap dancing, singing, and all kids games like jacks, marbles, but especially roller skating and sledding. She loved the farm as a great place to raise a family and always enjoyed nature and the outdoors. Doing field work, mowing huge lawns, having a garden, picking wild berries, planting trees and trimming bushes were some of her favorite activities. She has been an avid bowler and does all types of crocheting, knitting, tatting, and oil painting, but now spends most of her time painting on china as a porcelain artist.