Thomas "Tom" F. Koenings

Thomas F Koenings was born in West Bend on April 21, 1945 and lived in Barton most of his life. He died at the Wisconsin Veterans home in King, Wisconsin on October 3, 2022 at the age of 77. Tom received his primary education at St Mary’s grade school in Barton and his secondary education at St Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary and West Bend High School. He served as an Air Force Medic in the Vietnam War with the 57th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. He worked as an Inspector for Mercury Marine for 42 years starting in Cedarburg and later in Fond du Lac. He also owned and operated Barton Computer Care for Commodore computers for several years. In 2006, he retired from Mercury Marine and then in 2007 moved to Wautoma.

Tom had a passion for singing in the choir at church, but he couldn’t read sheet music. He loved his church, being a trustee in both parishes, leading the rosary and attending Mass. He was president of the St Joseph Society at St Mary’s in West Bend. A highlight of his life was a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, part of Yugoslavia at the time.  He was an active leader in Boy Scouts earning the Order of the Arrow. The family spent their vacations camping, mostly in Wisconsin but also 2 trips to Yellowstone. Tom loved the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. He would often tell stories of his hunting trips he had with friends and relatives, like the “5 mile deer”, and later with his sons. Tom could be found puttering in the yard and the garage, when there was room in the garage, especially after he retired. He rooted for the Packers, Brewers, Badgers and Marquette, where loud cheering and shouts of frustration surrounded the TV. Tom was a very social person and loved to visit with people, especially his grandkids, and easily made friends with most anyone he met.

Tom is survived by his wife: Patsy Koenings (nee Brust); his 6 children: Tony (Nicki), Tim, Katie (Corey) McCauley, Dennis (Beth), Dan (Michele), Brian (Kristi); 17 grandchildren: Amanda, Emma (David) Slickman, Alyssa Koenings, Halli McCauley, Ashley Koenings, Justin Koenings, Carlie Koenings (Fiancé TJ Hagen), Isabel McCauley, Morgan Koenings, Jayson Koenings, Shaun Koenings, Henry McCauley, Steven Koenings, Kayleigh Koenings, Ella Koenings, Laura Koenings; and honorary grandchild Megan (Chelsea) Baumann; and 4 great grandchildren: Annabelle, Stella, Roman, and Adeline; brothers-in-law: Wayne Stoffel, David Brust, Robert Brust and Michael (Rosie) Brust; sisters-in-law: Catherine (Nash) Monsour, Mary (Tom) Poppendieck, Beth Reindl, Jane (Chuck) Fiske, Judy (Tom) Falsetti, Ruth Brust and many nephews, nieces, and friends. He is preceded by his parents: Tony Koenings and Tilla Koenings (nee Bahr); his sisters: Mary Ann Loos and Fran Stoffel; brothers-in-law:  Dick Loos and Jim Brust and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

The family will greet relatives and friends from10AM until 11AM on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wautoma with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM and Military Honors and burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Bend at 3PM. A Memorial Mass will be held at 4PM on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Parish in West Bend.

Special thanks to the staff at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King and family and friends for their prayers and kind words that have gotten the family through some difficult times.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary, WI or the Waushara County Food Pantry in Wautoma, WI.

To honor Tom’s memory, we ask that you have a beer or brandy old fashioned, listen to a song from the 50s or 60s, and/or tell a veteran ”Welcome home”.