Hilbert "Herb" Koenig

Hilbert Matthew "Herb" Koenig was born August 16, 1910 in Halbur, Iowa, the fourth child of Joseph and Frances (Roth) Koenig. He attended St. Augustine School and graduated from St. Bernard High School in Breda in 1929. Herb began his 46 year banking career on June 1, 1929 with Farmers Savings Bank in Halbur. He and Edna Ocken of Breda were married on September 18, 1940 in Remsen, Iowa. They made their home in Halbur, and after moving to Carroll in 1971, he retired from the Bank on August 1, 1975 as Vice President and co-owner. Herb was involved in many other business endeavors, including Town Clerk of Halbur for 27 years, American Mutual Life Insurance agent for 40 years, real estate broker, and in 1952 began his 37-year part-time baseball scouting career (representing the St. Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City A's, Minnesota Twins and California Angels). He had a lifelong passion for baseball, seeing the Cubs play more than 200 games in Chicago. With his six brothers, Herb played semi-professional baseball for about 15 years, managing the Halbur Merchants and also playing for the Breda Eagles, Templeton Country Clubs, and Storz Triumphs. Herb lived under 18 Presidential administrations and enjoyed visiting about his many experiences and changes he had seen over the years, whether it be the unsuccessful "run on the Bank" in the early 30's, traveling alone at a young age to World Fairs in Chicago and New York or booking the Harlem Globetrotters into the Carroll High gym. In addition Herb and Edna traveled to all 48 continental States and spent winters in Arizona. Herb's other interests included playing cards, fishing and golfing. Herb was the oldest living native of Halbur. In January of 1991 Herb moved to Omaha to be closer to family. He died at Brookestone Meadows Care and Rehabilitation Center early Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at the age of 103 years and 4 days. He was preceded in death by his wife Edna on October 14, 1979; parents; sisters Nora Heinrichs and Florine Koenig; brothers: Leo, Eugene, Vincent, Simon and Father Jerome Koenig; two infant brothers ; son-in-law Darrell Onken; and daughter-in-law Mary Koenig. He is survived by his daughter Kathy Onken of Omaha and son John (Gail) of Scottsbluff, NE; brother Joseph (Lucille) of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandchildren Lisa (Tom) Harbert of Aberdeen, SD, Scott (Michell) Onken of Omaha, Amee (Erik) Hoiekvam of Omaha, Jeff (Katie) Koenig of Omaha, Jon (Amy) Koenig of Omaha, Kristin (Doug) Abernethy of Colorado Springs, and step grand-daughter Shannon Tracy of Denver; 15 great- grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. REV. STEVEN BRODERSEN CELEBRANT LECTORS KRISTIN ABERNETHY LISA HARBERT Gift Bearers HERB'S GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN Music "HERE I AM LORD" "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" "AMAZING GRACE" "JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE" RECESSIONAL "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME" ST. AUGUSTINE CHOIR JULIE SIBBEL, ORGANIST Casket Bearers SCOTT ONKEN JEFF KOENIG JON KOENIG LISA HARBERT AMEE HOIEKVAM KRISTIN ABERNETHY SHANNON TRACY