Bernard Koenig

Bernard Thomas Koenig, 87, of Conrad,  passed away from kidney failure on November 3rd, 2018 in Great Falls.

Bernard was born on November 17th, 1930 at Winona General Hospital, Winona, Minnesota the third child of George and Evelyn Koenig.

He graduated from Winona High School in 1948, lettering in football and baseball (his first love.)  He played ball in 7th grade with the Witoka MN men’s team and played third base on the Cincinnati Reds farm team. Bernard graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy.  During summer breaks from college he worked as a farm hand in Northern Montana where his older brother, George, was living at the time.  While there, he met a very bright wonderful woman who he would eventually marry on Valentine’s Day 1953.

Bernard was drafted to serve in the Korean War. His first duty was as a line medic for a few months and then was transferred to the 546th dispensary until it was closed. He finished his deployment at the 121st Evac Hospital.

Besides working as a farmer, he worked as a replacement pharmacist at Fooshee’s Rexall Drug in Conrad, MT.  Bernard kept his pharmacy licenses current in both Montana and Minnesota until 2008.

He was a life time member of the VFW, a 17 year member of the Knights of Columbus, a lector, choir member and CCD instructor at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. He coached little league baseball and took 3 teams to state championships. He also coached a women’s hard ball team sponsored by the Tiger’s Supper Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Faith; youngest daughter, Michelle; brother, Mark; and sister, Bernice.

He is survived by his daughter, Edwina; sons, Paul (Gay) and Bernard Timothy (Maria); three grandchildren, Jason Baxter and Kelli and Paul Dryden Koenig; and oldest brother, George.

Bernard would like to thank all the people who have shown him kindness (especially neighbor, Laurie Philipps) and friends and neighbors that have helped him through the years.

Memorial donations can be made in Bernard’s name to, Conrad Scholars, P.O. Box 787, Conrad MT, 59425.

Condolences can be made to Bernard’s memorial page at www.asperfh.com.

A visitation will be held from 5 until 7 PM on Monday, Nov. 12, followed by a rosary service at Pondera Funeral Home, 302 S. Main St., Conrad. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 13th, at 11:00 AM St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 110 S. Maryland, Conrad, MT.