Lucille Koenig

Funeral services for Lucille Koenig were held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel, SD, with Father Jonathan Dillon officiating. Sara DeBeaumont and Wes Pfaff were lectors, Sarah and Christina Spann were servers, and the great-grandchildren presented gifts.

Music was provided by Immaculate Conception Church Choir and St. Anthony’s Church Choir, accompanied by Roberta Witt, organist, and Janet Bauld was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Jared Pfaff, Wes Pfaff, Kris Royalty, Kolton Royalty, Tom Esterling, Joe Kramer, Doug Bauld, Justus Whitcher, and Gary Esterling. Honorary casket bearers were all of Lucille’s family and friends.

Interment was in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery in Fairfax, SD. Lucille Pauline Koenig, the youngest of twelve children, was born to John Peter Leibel and Margaret Marie (Tujetsch) on January 12, 1932, in Burke, SD. She grew up in the local school, graduating from the Burke High School in 1949. Lucille was united in marriage to Jerome Koenig on January 23, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD. For their entire lives together, they made their home on a ranch north of Fairfax, SD, where they operated the ranch, a cement plant, and a trucking business through the years while raising four children together: Patricia Ann, Joan Irene, Jacqueline Ann, and Jeffrey Jerome. Lucille owned and operated a laundromat, managed the VFW in Wagner, and ran the Brass Buckle in Fairfax. Lucille worked at the Fort Randall Casino for 23 years until her retirement. She was a member of the Catholic Altar Society.

Lucille enjoyed spending time with her family. She worked very hard on the ranch, managing the restaurants, caring for her family, and leaving a legacy for all her kids. Lucille loved her dog, who always brought a smile to her face.

She died on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at the age of 91. She is survived by three daughters: Patty Koenig (Lyle) of Hot Springs, SD, Joan Pfaff (Kelly) of Mitchell, SD, and Jackie Whitcher of Athens, TX; one son, Jeff Koenig of Omaha, NE; and eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jerome in 2000; her sisters: Viola, Laverna, Marie, and Katherine: and her brothers: George, John, Paul, Dave, Lawrence, Leo, and Walter.