Joe Koenig, 91

Joe Koenig, 91, of New Prague, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Mala Strana Health Care Center in New Prague.

Joe was born May 17, 1922 in Belle Plaine To w n s h i p , Scott Co., the eldest son of John and Theresa (Pieper) Koenig. He first attended Scott County Dist #52, a one room rural school. Later he was enrolled in St. John's Parochial School in Jordan, after which he attended Jordan High School for two years, before graduating from New Prague High School. On June 8, 1943, he married Marcella Bendzick in Jordan. They made their home on a farm in Derrynane Township in Le Sueur County. He was drafted into the service in 1944 and served in the 32nd Infantry Division 121st Field Artillery during the Philippine liberation. He was discharged in 1946 with a rank of First Sergeant. After returning to the farm, he attended the School of Agriculture at the University of Minnesota, later graduating (cum laude) from Mankato State College. He taught briefly at Montgomery High School. His interests included politics, dancing, card playing, gardening, travel, big game hunting, fishing, and collecting and restoring old windmills, for which he was widely known. His main interest was agriculture. He was employed as a civil servant in the USDA for 26 years. His last assignment was District Director of ASCS programs in Southern Minnesota. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, Pioneer Power Assn., Knights of Columbus, Belle Plaine Historical Society.

Joe is survived by his wife, Marcella; children, Karl (Brenda), St. Joseph, Mary (Paul) Mullenmeister, Northfield, Margaret Peterson (friend, Mark Iverson), Bloomington, Trudy Koenig, Faribault, Rick, Duluth, Ron (Kathy), Shakopee; siblings, Albert (Roslyn) Koenig, Faribault, Lucille Hayden, Le Sueur, Martha (Tony) Zweber, Belle Plaine, Lawrence (Ann) Koenig, Belle Plaine, Jane (Terry) Armon, Blue Earth, Robert (Theresa) Koenig, Belle Plaine; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and son, John Koenig.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Union Hill with Father David Barrett officiating. Military Honors will be conducted. Serving as pallbearers will be grandchildren, Chad Koenig, John, Mark, Andrew, Erick, and Nick Mullenmeister, Terry Viskocil, and Kayshia Kris-Koenig. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Glisczinski, Ken Neisen, Bill Plonski, Tom Ruhland, Robert Koenig, Terry Fahey, Norbert Gill, Albert Koenig, and Lawrence Koenig.

Visitation will take place Thursday, June 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Bruzek Funeral Home in New Prague.

Interment will follow mass at St. John's Cemetery.

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