Arthur Koenig

MADISON-Arthur S. Koenig was born on the White Earth Indian Reservation, Ogema, MN on May 16, 1914 , the son of Christian and Margaret (Gorney) Koenig and died on January 22, 2012. After the death of his mother at an early age, he lived with relatives in Detroit Lakes, MN, Kensel, ND, Eau Claire and finally Baraboo, where he grew up on his Aunt Mary and Uncle Robert Koenig’s farm. He was a graduate of Baraboo High School and attended UW-Whitewater where he met the love of his life, Frances L. Mickelson and they were united in marriage on January 1, 1942 in Black Earth. He entered military service in September 1940 and attained the rank of Captain. Arthur served with the Army’s Military Intelligence and was attached to the 106th Infantry Division in Belgium and Germany. He and his team were specialists in interrogation of German prisoners and interpreters of photo over-lays of the terrain and German weaponry, pictures taken by photo planes using stereoscopic equipment. He was also in the “Battle of the Bulge”, St. Vith, Belgium. Following five years of service, he and his wife relocated to Rockford, IL where he started in the life insurance business. In 1950 he was asked to move to Madison, where he built a very successful Life Insurance Agency with Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Society, as their general agent. After 16 years with them, he started his own life and health agency. He dedicated his life to selling, which he loved, and after 40 years in the business he retired in 1982. Art was an active and dedicated member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was past-president of the congregation; taught Sunday school for many years; was chairman of several committees including building drives, one to build an educational building. He was president of the West Side Businessmen’s Association and chairman when they sponsored the Clyde Beatty and Cole Brothers circus for five consecutive years; a fund raiser for the American Heart Association, the first Curator of the Sauk County Historical Society in Baraboo and a long time member of the Board of Directors. Since his retirement, he and his wife have traveled extensively on tours and cruises and presented programs about their trips. He was an avid reader of history, and enjoyed gardening, landscaping and woodworking. Arthur is survived by his son, Ronald (Elaine)Koenig of Black Earth; a daughter Joanne (Garry) Owens of Frisco, TX; two grandchildren, Michelle (Ron) Skaife of Barneveld, Bryan (Alison) Koenig of Poynette; three great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Courtney Skaife of Barneveld and AnnaMae Koenig of Poynette and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Frances on Nov. 23, 2011, his parents and three sisters. Funeral services will be held at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1904 Winnebago St., Madison, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 with the Reverend Susan Schneider presiding. Private family burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church. Cemetery: Private family burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the services at the church. Funeral services will be held at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1904 Winnebago St., Madison, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 with the Reverend Susan Schneider presiding.