Hershel Koenig

Hershel Leon Koenig, age 91, died on March 28, 2015 at Oak Crossing Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Services for Hershel are set for Thursday, April 2nd at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Reverend Dan Abrahams officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 1st at David-Donehower Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00PM with a prayer service at 7:00. Hershel Leon Koenig was born October 2, 1923 in St. James, MN to John Jacob and Daisy Florence (Cook) Koenig. The family moved to Hitterdahl, MN in March of 1924, and began farming. They were one of the first German families in the area. Hershel graduated from Hitterdahl High School in June of 1941 and entered military service. He served our country from January 1943 until January 1946. On April 7, 1946, Hershel was united in marriage to Cleone Norene Cole, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon, MN. They established their home in Detroit Lakes. Hershel began work in Detroit Lakes with the Minnesota Highway Department early in 1947. He was recalled by the military on December 1950, and deployed to Korea. He returned in December 1952, and resumed his employment with the Minnesota Highway Department while remaining active in the Minnesota National Guard. In 1958 Hershel was transferred to the Highway Department in St. Paul. He also attended the University of Minnesota and earned a degree in civil engineering. In 1960, he began work as Hubbard County Engineer in Park Rapids, MN. In 1967, Hershel and family moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota where he was appointed Public Works Director for Faribault County. Hershel retired from the military in 1983, attaining the rank of Major. He served in both WWII and in the Korean Wars. In 1988 he retired from his position with Faribault County, moved to Brainerd, MN and then to Detroit Lakes, where the couple have lived since. In 1990, Hershel was the inspiration behind the "Avenue of Flags" displayed annually during Memorial weekend at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes. When it started the cemetery had 40 flags and now has grown to over 800 flags.

Hershel and Cleone enjoyed spending winters in Mesa, AZ for 20 plus years. They were very active in their retirement community, playing golf, cards and shuffleboard. They also did some traveling. Being an advocate for volunteerism, Hershel served many hours for various organizations and their church, Zion Lutheran. He was a member of the American Legion for 69 years and also the VFW. He taught 55 Alive classes for several years. He enjoyed and truly had a heart for helping people. Hershel is survived by his wife, Cleone, three children; Judy (Bob) Mosford of St. Cloud, MN., Paul (Lori) Koenig of Basin, Wyoming, Tammara (Trish) King of Snohomish, Washington, Five Grandchildren and 10 Great-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Daisy Koenig, five brothers and one sister. He will be missed by his family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was an outstanding role model for all of us.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Service
Thursday, April 2, 2015
cemetery
Thursday, April 2, 2015

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