Koenig, Lawrence Julius

Passed away on Thursday, August 25th 2022 in his home surrounded by loved ones. Lawrence, commonly called Larry, or Pooh Bear by his close family, was born on August 2, 1940 to Lawrence and Greta Koenig, both were waiting for him with open arms in heaven. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sandra Koenig. He is the father of 5 children, also named spouses, Lori (daughter) and Mark Graham, Steven (son) and Lynn Koenig, Michele (daughter) and Bryan Menke, Tracey (daughter) and Jerry Ingoldsby and Sarah (daughter) and Scott Hall. He has 12 grandchildren, Marissa Graham, Jacob Graham, Michael Koenig, Christopher Koenig, Daniel Koenig, Alysha Collins, Kelsey Swaringim, Greta Menke, Samuel Menke, Lilyana Menke, Christina New, and Blue Ingoldsby. He also has 7 great grandchildren, Bradley, Elsie, and Kaylie Collins, Griffen and Adelyn Swaringim, and Matthew New, and one precious baby due in September. He is the brother to Lorraine, Linda, Lenny and Lee. He is an uncle, cousin and friend to many!!

Memorial visitation at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church 9740 Sappington Rd. 63128 on Monday, August 29, 2022 from 10:00 am. until Memorial Mass time at 11:00 am. Luncheon to follow. Inurnment at Sunset Cemetery will be held in private.

Mom was by his side that early morning around 6 am when he finally gave into his battle with dementia and spinal stenosis and went to be in the arms of Jesus, his Savior. Dad had been placed in hospice care on July 5th and had steadily declined. The last week of his life was long but also so beautiful with those he loved around him, in and out of the house. So many family and friends just hanging around waiting and loving each other. I know he heard all of us telling him how much we loved him as we were keeping vigil with mom. Pujols hit so many homeruns that week, I thought for sure dad was just waiting to see if he beat all the records he is shooting for! 

Dad was an electrician and member of the IBEW union for over 50 years and worked at Briner Electric for about 30 years. He was a hard working man, and his hands were strong and had that working man feel to them. He loved to help others with electrical work for the family and did help me, Michele, wire her entire new house!!

He was a member of St. Catherine LaBoure church in Sappington, for many years. The last few years were difficult to get there, but there was always prayer in the house and he was so appreciative when I would pray for him and mom. I spent the last week with mom and dad watching over him at night and I loved those moments of reading scriptures to him before bed. They say the hearing remains to the end and I know he heard every bit. And he took comfort in that. Dad would always take us to church every Sunday, growing up, that we could be there, of course there were some things he would make exceptions for and that was the lake! 

Dad loved boating, fishing, pulling all of us on skis and trying to whip us off any tube you put in the water. We spent most of our childhood at Bull Shoals Lake in Oakland, Arkansas. We spent most summer weekends there and spent a couple continuous weeks each summer. They had built a little house down there that was never quite finished on the inside! But it was our home there. Mom was just saying the other day, I cannot believe we drove that far for just a weekend. But that was where dad was truly happy and content. Torturing us, well especially me with long trolling mornings in the boat, just waiting and waiting for some fish to bite my lure. I was more in love with the short game, bluegill fishing off the dock was my cup of tea. Oh there are so many memories of those days with the Ruders and Jaegers at the lake. As gas prices increased and driving that far became an issue they moved their lake house to the Lake of the Ozarks and still currently own a house there. Due to health issues recently it has been a few years since they had a chance to get there, but I do know that dad will be on any lake or fishing whenever he can up there in heaven! 

He was an avid fan of St. Louis Cardinals, Star Trek, Star Wars and Elvis. He loved doing puzzles as well, there always seemed to be a puzzle in mid creation at any given time. But mostly he loved his family and wife, and those grandchildren! Our Pooh Bear was truly one of a kind! He would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him, he was generous in his love and his smile lit up a room. He was so sweet with his hugs and he will be missed every day, but when we feel that pain from that separation, we have peace too, knowing for certain he is up there in Heaven, no longer hurting and waiting for us to join him one day as God has promised.  

Jesus said in John 14:27 My peace I leave you, my peace I give you, I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

I know our grief is great but we do not mourn as those who have no hope. God is our Rock during this time and I cannot wait to see my Pooh again. Thank you Pooh for an incredible life and family to love while we wait for our turn. Incredible legacy you’ve left behind. Love you, Michele