Erwin "Butch" Koenig

Erwin Carl Koenig known to friends as "Butch" Koenig was born on January 29, 1916 in Williamsburg, Iowa. His parents were Wilamenia (Minnie Thissen) and August Koenig both immigrants of Germany. Erwin was the eldest of the four children. Erwin’s brothers were Eugene Koenig of Metamora, Illinois and Albert Koenig of Davenport, Iowa and sister Betty (Koenig) Hoffman, Clyde, Ohio.

Erwin’s early years were spent on a farm in Williamsburg, Iowa. The love of the farm never left him. He grew up speaking German until the age of 6 when he went to school and then learned English. Erwin shared recollections with his family about driving to school on a hack. The lessons and hard work he learned on the farm were the foundation for a productive life. He left the farm around the age of 12 to move to the city, but he remained a farm boy at heart.

He passed away peacefully in Davenport, IA on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at the age of 97 in the home of his beloved granddaughter Georgie Koenig, husband Dr. Lloyd Kilmer, great granddaughter Samantha Jerz and great great granddaughter Teagan Jerz.

Erwin married Gwendolyn Evon Nolan on October 20, 1935. Erwin and Gwen worked as a team to build joint business endeavors. They passed on this sense of teamwork and drive to their children Larry E. Koenig and Michael G. (Koenig) Clauson. Both of the children carried on their legacy as entrepreneurs. Gwen passed away March 23,1987 in Davenport, IA.

Erwin served his country during World War II from June 1945 to March of 1946, stationed in Louisiana as a Sergeant for the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 2nd Battalion, Army Services. He was certified as a sharp shooter, and served as a cook and butcher responsible for feeding 2,000 troop members daily. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal June 7, 1949,

Erwin was an entrepreneur who started hauling coal as a teen for 10 cents per ton to owning his own bowling alley and other successful businesses. His last business was owner of Kimber Lanes Bowling Alley, Bettendorf, from 1950 until retirement in 1972. He was also affiliated with Koenig's Meat Market which was started by his father August Koenig and later owned by his late brother Albert Koenig.

He was a savvy investor who carefully watched his stocks grow through the years. Supporting his family, helping his children and grandchildren flourish and helping friends in need, defined him as a person. Erwin’s values, beliefs and generous nature will live on through his family members and future generations.

Butch was an active sportsman throughout his life. As a young man he was a member a semi-professional soccer teams which toured throughout the Midwest. An expert bowler, he competed with teams from his bowling alley throughout his working life. Golfing, boating and shooting at the range with his friends defined his later years in retirement. At age 92, the pro at Golfmore granted him “free golf for life” as one of the oldest active golfers at the course. He was member of the DLS Gun Club and the Moose Club of Davenport.

Erwin will be remembered by those who knew and loved him as a man of integrity and determination. He provided a model to his family on how to live life with love, humor, industriousness, and hardwork; he worked and played hard until the very end.

He will be greatly missed, but will live in the hearts of his surviving family members:

Longtime companion: Jean Clay, Eldridge, IA

Son: Larry Erwin Koenig, Canal Winchester, OH (Daughter in-law, Debra Koenig)

Daughter: Michael Gwen (Koenig) Clauson, McMurray, PA (Son in-law, Keith Clauson)

Granddaughter: Georgie Koenig, Davenport, IA (Husband, Dr. Lloyd Kilmer)

Great granddaughters: Samantha Jerz, Davenport, IA and Gabrielle Jerz, Chicago, IL

Great Great Granddaughter: Teagan Jerz

Grandson: Mark Koenig, Pickerington, OH (Wife, Kimberly Koenig)

Great Grandsons: Patrick Koenig, Pickerington, OH and Keegan Koenig, Pickerington, OH.

Fuenral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 11:30 am at The Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 4-7 pm at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Dr. David E. Lane Coats for Kids of the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com