Koenning

Milton E. Koenning, 89, of La Grange, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Milton was born near the Sand Community in Bastrop County on April 2, 1927, to parents Willie and Minnie (Mitschke) Koenning. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Serbin by Pastor Herman Schmidt and confirmed on April 6, 1941 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church by Pastor E.R. Rathgeber. He attended St. Michael’s Lutheran and Zills Memorial Public School in Winchester. On July 17, 1945 he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and honorably served his country until 1947 when he was discharged from the military. Milton married Audrey Bittner on Oct. 30, 1949 and they settled in the Winchester community. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resource Conservation Service) for thirty-four years before retiring in 1994. Milton continued to work part-time for the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District while operating a beef cattle operation on his ranch near Winchester. In a partnership, he operated an 80 sow farrow-to-finish hog operation and a cow operation. He and Audrey farmed cotton, corn, grain and peanuts. They also raised turkeys, broilers and market eggs. He was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church of Winchester since the age of seven. Shortly after WWII, St. Michael’s selected young men to serve as ushers to assist in the church services. Milton and four other young men were elected to serve as the first usher group. At this time, he also joined the voters’ assembly of St. Michael’s Church. He served as a Treasurer for fifty years. He was also a Sunday school teacher and Usher for a number of years and represented the congregation at District and Synod conventions. Milton was Vice-Chairman and member of the National Association of Federal Employees of Fayette, Lee and Colorado counties and served as secretary of the Winchester Farm Bureau for eight years. He was Director of Brenham Production Credit Association and was one of the Founders of Fayette Savings Bank where he served on the Board for 40 years. He was a director of the Colorado Valley Telephone Corporation during its origination and served on the Brenham Production Credit Association for eleven years. Milton was always available to serve and volunteer for many organizations. He was a member of the Fayette County Jr. Livestock Show committee and served as its chairman for three years. He was a member of the County 4-H Adult Leaders Association and on the committee of the Winchester 4-H Show. He was on the committee for Fayette County Beef Cattle, chairman of the TVA Fertilizer Demonstration committee, and organized the Post Oak Livestock Marketing Association with members of the Fayette County Swine committee and Marketing Specialist from Texas A&M University. He also served as chairman of the committee during the time it was organized and as the chairman of the board until he retired from the production of pork. Milton also was a driver for cancer patients being treated in Austin. He helped with past fund raisers for the American Cancer Society. His many hobbies included deer and squirrel hunting and fishing. He loved identifying species of grasses in the countryside while traveling with family. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Bittner Koenning, of 67 years; daughter, Sharon Kay Teinert and husband, Douglas, of Lumberton; grandchildren: Shanna Ash and husband, Patrick, of Greenwood Village, Colo.; and Keith Teinert of Lumberton; great grandsons: Alex Henry and Owen Ash of Greenwood Village, Colo.; brother, Delton Koenning and wife, Elna, of Winchester; sisters: Mildred Kasper of Winchester and Gladys Teinert of Rabbs Prairie; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Hugo and Larry Koenning; sister, Rose Bernstein; and three brothers- in-law: Wernis Bernstein, Paul Teinert and Elgin Kasper. Visitation was held on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services were held at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church of Winchester, 700 Frio St., La Grange, at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Burial followed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis, Mo. 63141. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements.