Marcella Koenig, age 91, of New Prague, died Friday, December 4, 2015, peacefully surrounded by her family at her home at Philipp’s Square. Marcella was born March 2, 1924, In Derrynane Township, Le Sueur County, MN, to Henry J. and Anna C. (Wacker) Bendzick. They lived in the St. Thomas area until about age 2, moved briefly to Hastings, and then settled in the Jordan area where she attended school until about 6th grade, when she had to quit school due to illness. Marcella married Joseph J. Koenig on June 8, 1943, in Jordan, MN. After marriage, she completed her GED in her 30’s and then went on to complete her degree in teaching at Mankato State College. She taught elementary school in New Prague for 16 years. They were unable to have children so adopted 7 children and raised them while farming and teaching.
Marcella was active throughout her life. She belonged to St. John’s Altar Society, Catholic Aid, American Legion Auxiliary, and Pioneer Power Association. She was the religious education coordinator at St. John’s Catholic Church for most of her life, retiring at age 80. She made countless quilts and lap blankets, donating many of them to the vets and other charitable organizations; Catholic missions benefited from the numerous rosaries that Marcella made. She was still quilting, crocheting, and making rosaries in her 90’s. She was an avid reader and still teaching now as the leader of a Bible Study group at Philipp’s Square.
Marcella is survived by her children, Karl (& Brenda) Koenig of St. Joseph, MN, Mary (& Paul) Mullenmeister of Northfield, MN, Margaret Peterson (& Mark Iverson) of Bloomington, MN, Trudy Koenig of Faribault, MN, Richard Koenig of White Earth, MN, Ron (& Kathy) Koenig of Bloomington, MN; sisters, Catherine (& Roland) Menke of Jordan, MN, Irene (& Elgar) Busch of New Prague, MN, Marion Breeggemann of Shakopee, MN, Delphine Stelton of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law, Catherine Bendzick of Jordan, MN, Audrey Bendzick of New Prague, MN; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchldren; 1 great-great-grandchild. Marcella is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Koenig on June 17, 2013; son John Koenig; parents; brothers, Ervin and Jerry Bendzick.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 10 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill with Father David Barrett officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, December 11, 2015, from 4-8 PM and Saturday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home. Burial will take place after Mass in the church cemetery, followed by lunch at the KC Hall in New Prague.
