George Koenigsknecht

A man of honor, integrity, and humility, George Koenigsknecht was a blessing to those around him. A loving husband and devoted father, he was an outstanding role model for his children as he was patient and caring with just the right amount of good old fashioned humor mixed in. Throughout his life George was accompanied by an unwavering faith, and although he was never overbearing in his beliefs, it was clear to see that it was his faith that served as his anchor, his compass, and his true joy. Life will never be the same without George here, but his timeless legacy will continue on in the hearts and lives of the generations who made him so very proud.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. The decade was primarily a prosperous one when radios, washing machines, and motion pictures in both color and sound were signs of the time. Jazz music remained a favorite while dance crazes like the Charleston kept people moving and grooving on the dance floor. It was on February 8, 1926, that a young couple from Dallas Township, Michigan, was pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named George Joseph. He was the youngest of six children born to his parents, Frank and Rosa (Thelen) Koenigsknecht, and he was raised on the family farm alongside his siblings, Juliana, Paul, Albert, Margaret, and Mary. George was mischievous and fun-loving as a young boy, which isn’t all that surprising to those who knew him as an adult.

George and his siblings were given a tough pill to swallow with the death of their father when George was just one in addition to the death of his mother when he was 13. His older siblings were determined to keep the family together, however, and they worked together to make ends meet as all the Koenigsknecht children had jobs. They were a close family and remained that way for the rest of their lives. George and his siblings all pooled their money together to help pay for seminary school for his brother Albert who later became a priest with, Maryknoll, The Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, Inc.

A student at Fowler schools all the way through high school, George found that he really enjoyed school, especially history. He was also ambidextrous and could write equally well with either hand. George also liked sports such as football and basketball. He was outgoing and social as he was elected senior class president.

Not long after graduating from high school, George was one of 11 young men from Fowler to be drafted into the military. While serving in WWII he was a Corporal in the 205th Military Police Company while serving in Persia (modern day Iraq and Iran) and Italy. George drove around in a jeep that was equipped with a two way radio and was responsible for preparing detailed reports of accidents, violations, and other noteworthy happenings. He was armed with a 45 caliber pistol and Thompson submachine gun.

Not to be forgotten during George’s time in the military was a certain young girl he left back home. Her name was Joan Stump, and they had met through mutual friends. They were very similar in personality and hit it off right away. After returning to his sweetheart, George and Joan’s love continued to blossom, and they were inseparable for the rest of their lives. Deeply in love, they were married on May 4, 1949, in Pewamo. Together George and Joan were blessed with the births of seven children, Diane, Kathryn, Luke, Ruth, Debra, Lois, and George.

Throughout his working days as an adult George made a career at Fisher Body in Lansing from the time he returned stateside after the serving in the military. In addition to working in the factory there, he also worked the farm at the same time as he was an incredibly hard worker. In fact, George continued to farm well after retiring from Fisher Body in 1986.

There was never anything of greater importance to George than his family. He was a very affectionate father and a laid back parent whose children always knew they were deeply loved. The Koenigsknechts loved taking day trips all over Michigan, packing a picnic lunch to enjoy at a roadside park. George helped his children take advantage of living in Michigan during the winter as he flooded the backyard so the kids could skate.

As someone who lived life to the fullest, George enjoyed being busy. He loved hunting and took up woodworking after retiring, becoming very accomplished in his skills. George liked going to craft shows and traveling with Joan, and for 25 years they went out dancing every Sunday night. They were big polka fans who followed a well-known polka band, the Marv Herzog Polka Band, and they liked the Melotones as well. George was a Knights of Columbus member in Fowler, a member of Most Holy Catholic Church, and assisted in the maintenance of Most Holy Trinity Cemetery in Fowler for a time, which made him very proud. He enjoyed reading and was a wealth of knowledge on numerous historic topics.

A stranger to none and a friend to all, George Koenigsknecht was an extraordinary man to know and love. Second only to his unwavering faith was his unending love for his family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. George told the best stories, and his laugh was truly one of a kind as he laughed so hard that his whole body would shake. He will never be forgotten.

George J. Koenigsknecht of Fowler, died Sunday, February 2, 2014. George’s family includes his children, Diane (John) Beck of Edison, NJ; Kathryn (Richard) Coletta of St. Johns; Luke (Susan) Koenigsknecht of St. Johns; Ruth (Glenn) Thelen of Fowler; Debra Sturk of Fowler; Lois (Timothy) Bengal of Westphalia; George (fiancé Jackie Aldridge) Koenigsknecht of St. Johns; 15 grandchildren, Richard, Jason, and James Coletta; Tracie Tiedt, Adam Koenigsknecht; Glenn, Nathan, Mitchell and Charlene Thelen; Jay and Audra Sturk; Douglas, Steven, Chelsea and Janay Bengal; 9 great-grandchildren, Lily, Lucy, Zane and Brynn Coletta; Phillip and Alexis Tiedt; Andrew, Jack and Molly Koenigsknecht; sisters-in-law, Sr. Rosanne Stump, SLW of Chicago, IL, Sr. Julia Stump, SLW of Metaire, LA, Alice Stump, and Theresa Stump both of Pewamo. George was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rosa; wife, Joan M. (Stump) Koenigsknecht; siblings and spouses: Juliana and Melvin Simon; Paul and Patricia Koenigsknecht; Msgr. Albert I. Koenigsknecht, MM; Margaret and Mark Schrauben; Mary and John Klein; in-laws, Robert and Suzanne Stump; Melvin, Leon, and Kathryn Stump. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fowler, with burial following at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. The concelebrants will be Fr. John P. Klein and Fr. Dennis Howard. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2014, with a rosary being prayed at 3 p.m. and a vigil service at 8 p.m. at the George Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home in Fowler. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Most Holy Trinity Educational Trust Fund, 545 N. Maple St., Fowler, MI 48835. To learn more about George and view his Life Story film, visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/97120. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.