Florence Koenig's Obituary
Florence Lorene Autrey Koenig, oldest daughter of Dave S. and Agnes Wetz Autrey, was born February 13, 1920, in Hooks, Texas. She passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in her home, in Lebanon, Missouri, Saturday, December 12, 2009, at the age of eighty-nine years, nine months, and twenty-nine days. On September 23, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harry H. Koenig, Jr., and to this union two daughters and one son were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry, on December 25, 2007; and three brothers, Bill, Lee, and Joe Autrey. Florence is survived by a son, Paul Koenig, of Santa Rosa, California; two daughters, Kaye Beth, of Santa Cruz, California, and Carolyn Koenig, of Lebanon, Missouri; two grandchildren, Paul Cameron Koenig, of Los Angeles, California, and Suzanne E. Koenig, of Lebanon, Missouri; three brothers, Dodd Autrey, and his wife, Mary, of Wake Village, Texas, Martin Autrey, and his wife, Marilyn, of Fort Valley, Georgia, and Mike Autrey, and his wife, Karen, of Colonial Heights, Virginia; a sister, Susie Jaixen, of Hooks, Texas; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in Hooks, Texas. She grew up picking cotton and helping her mother care for the family. After graduating from high school, she attended Draughon Business College and East Texas Baptist College, in Dallas, Texas. She worked at Red River Ordnance Depot in Texarkana, Texas, where she met her future husband, Harry H. Koenig, Jr., at a U.S.O. dance. They married and resided in Santa Monica, California, where they raised their three children, and together owned and managed an independent insurance brokerage for over thirty years. They retired to Santa Rosa, California, and lived there for over a decade before following their daughter, Carolyn, and granddaughter, Suzanne, to Lebanon, Missouri, in 2001. Florence was a longtime member of the Methodist Church and was the visionary founder of a safe, nurturing childcare center, currently thriving at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa, California. In her spare time, Flo was an avid gardener, seamstress, and reader, with a true community spirit for enriching the lives of others. She helped organize fundraising and community events for her church and contributed valuable energy and ideas towards improvement. Her strong sense of purpose helped her approach any activity with spunk, open-mindedness, and laughter. She had a keen, inquisitive wit and celebrated life with her friends and family. She loved children especially, and was a tender, nurturing mother and grandmother. Florence was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, as well as a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that she lives on through her works and in the hearts of those who knew her. Her family and friends will continue to treasure the wonderful memories she created throughout her rich life. Local arrangments under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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