Richard Koenig

Harrisburg resident, Richard Koenig, age 85, passed away suddenly at his home on February 26, 2023.

Richard Wesley Koenig was born July 18, 1937, in Bismarck, MO.  He was one of 10 children born to the late Peter and Viola (Thurman) Koenig.  Richard graduated from Bismarck High School with the class of 1955.  Richard continued his education attending the University of Missouri and earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering.  He entered the Army in Oct. 1961 and was stationed at Fort Hood Texas.  He served his Country during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was honorably discharged in Oct. of 1963.  On May 2, 1966, Richard married the love of his life, Marjorie Puckett, in Miami, OK.  The couple have enjoyed over 56 years of marriage, and share six children under their union.  Richard worked as an engineer throughout the entirety of his professional career.  He was a Design Engineer Supervisor for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA).  He helped design dams for 43 years, retiring on January 3, 2003.  Richard was an avid gardener and was known for having the best tomatoes around.  Sixty years of recording information and practicing helped generate a hardy garden with ample produce, year in and year out.  Richard often passed on his gardening knowledge to his family and grandchildren.  Over the course of his life, Richard donated 100’s of pounds of produce to the Fayette and Columbia Food Pantries.  He was a devout Catholic, serving on the parish council and education boards for St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayette.

Survivors include his wife of the home, Marjorie Koenig; five children, Jeff Koenig of Harrisburg, MO, Peter (LeAnn) Koenig of Moberly, MO, David Koenig of Prairie Home, MO, Richard “Chris” (Christi) Koenig of Columbia, MO and Eadie (Kelly) Gardiner of Harrisburg, MO; nine grandchildren, Wesley, Kevin, Jonathan, Zachary, Lindsey, Lauren, Daniel, Jessica and Travis; four great-grandchildren, Ashley, Millie, Easton, Collins and a great-grandbaby on the way; three sisters, Lillian, Patricia and Evelyn Koenig, all of Florissant, MO.  In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his son, Larry Koenig, a great-granddaughter, Sara Koenig, three brothers, Walter, Peter and Mathew, and three sisters, Roberta, Madeline and Sara.

Visitation is 5-7 PM, Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette with a Rosary at 4:30 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, March 3, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayette, with Fr. Joshua Duncan officiating.  Interment will be held at Walnut Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Fayette Food Pantry, c/o Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.     

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