Thomas Koenen

Thomas R. Koenen "Say not in grief 'He is no more', but live in thankfulness that he was!" Tom died peacefully at home on February 26th. He grew up in Whitefish Bay with his parents, William and Lorraine and brothers, Ed and Harold. The Northwoods has been a part of Tom's life since childhood. He spent his summers at the Dairyman's Country Club which was co-founded by his grandfather, Ed Neumeister. He married Beverly, his high school sweetheart, in 1952 and spent the next 60 years celebrating their life together. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and graduated from UW-Madison. Most of his career was spent at Mercury Marine as their Manufacturing Systems Development International Engineer and as the liaison to China both here and abroad. The remainder of his career was with Penda Corp as Director of Resource Planning. Tom, an outdoor kind of guy, enjoyed canoeing, hiking, fishing, boating and tinkering…always tinkering. He was constantly volunteering; President, treasurer and trail groomer for the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club, Treasurer for the Oneida County Snowmobile Club Council, President of Shishebogama Lake Association, preparing taxes at the Lakeland Senior Center, member of the Minocqua Planning and Zoning Committee and the Ascension Church Council. He spent countless hours marking the lake and installing Lifeline units in homes all over the county. But what was most important to Tom was his family and friends. He always thought of others before himself, lending a hand whenever he had the opportunity. He was preceded in death by his mother; father and brother, Harold. He will be sorely missed by Beverly (the love of his life); Daughter, Laura Mischka (Tom), their children Jennifer and Jackie (fiancé Traver); Daughter, Linda Barthuly (Glenn), their children Aaron (girlfriend Jordan) and Stephanie (fiancé Kyle); Brother, Ed (Joyce) Koenen and all his nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Ascension Lutheran Church, with a Funeral Service at 1:00 PM. A Luncheon will follow at the church. Entombment will be Monday, March 11, 2013 at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, WI. Special thanks to the wonderful Dr. Freddy Conde who, for the past 4 years, has been a rock of support for both Tom and Bev; as well as Hospice, Home Health and Ascension Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom's memory to Ascension Church Building Fund or Hospice. "Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched…for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much."

Thomas Koenen

July 17, 1931 - February 26, 2013