Laura Lee Koenig was born October 6, 1953, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She died January 10, 2024, at home in Casper, Wyoming at the age of 70 years.
Laura grew up in Sturgis, South Dakota. She attended first grade at the Brechtel one-room country school and the remainder of grade school at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. She graduated from Sturgis Brown High School. After high school she attended South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, where she met her sweetheart, Tom, and graduated with a degree in chemistry. While attending SDSM&T, Laura was an employee at the Baken Park Hardware Hank store at the time of the 1972 flood. For several weeks following, Laura helped with the extensive flood cleanup.
Laura and Tom Koenig were married on December 27, 1974, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. This union of 49 years was blessed with three children, Kate, Carl, and Anne.
Laura was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister. After their first child was born, Laura became a stay-at-home mom. She loved attending her kids’ and grandkids’ events. Laura actively shared her faith with her children, served as a catechist, and enjoyed participating in church trips including going to World Youth Day in Denver and traveling to Rome. Laura enjoyed being outside, hiking, camping, reading, being part of church Bible studies, and playing family card games. Laura had a life-long love of learning. She continued her education and received her MBA from the University of South Dakota.
Laura had a loving and determined spirit. Laura was not afraid to stand up for what was right. Life was not always easy for her in her early years, but she was tough, forgiving, and worked hard to make life better for everyone she knew and loved.
Laura is survived by her husband, Tom; three children: Kate (Troy) Bifulco of Sundance, WY; Carl (Jill) Koenig of McCook, NE; and Anne (Garrett) Stevens of Spearfish, SD; nine grandchildren; her mother, Betty Wells; her siblings: Rich, Nora, Glenn, Norma, and Marie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Laura was preceded in death by her father George Wells; grandbaby Alex Koenig; and nephew Lee Lehrkamp.
Visitation will be Friday, January 19, 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, with memories and stories of Laura beginning at 6 p.m. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20, at 11:00AM MT at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis, with viewing starting at 9:30AM. Burial will be in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery of Fairfax on Sunday, January 21 at 2:00PM CT.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to St. Martin’s Chapel in Sturgis.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
