Joe Koenig, age 91, of New Prague, died Monday, June 17, 2013 at Mala Strana Health Care Center.  Joe was born May 17, 1922 in Belle Plaine Township, Scott Co., MN, 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, MN 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 Artillary 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, however, 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 VFW, AMerican Legion, Pioneer Power Assn., Knights of Columbus, Belle Plaine Historical Society.

Joe is survived by his wife, Marcella; children, Karl (& Brenda) of St. Joseph, MN, Mary (& Paul) Mullenmeister of Northfield, Margaret Peterson (& friend, Mark Iverson) of Bloomington, Trudy Koenig of Faribault, Rick of Duluth, Ron (& Kathy) of Shakopee; siblings, Albert (& Roslyn) Koenig of Faribault, Lucille Hayden of Le Sueur, Martha (& Tony) Zweber of Belle Plaine, Lawrence (& Ann) Koenig of Belle Plaine, Jane (& Terry) Armon of Blue Earth, Robert (& Theresa) Koenig of Belle Plaine; 16 Grandchildren; 23 Great-Grandchildren; 2 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, 2013 at 11:00 AM 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 20th from 4 – 8 PM and Friday morning from 7:30 – 10:30 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home.  Interment will follow mass at St. John’s Cemetery and lunch at the KC Hall in New Prague.