Michael Koenen

Michael Koenen, of Montevideo, died on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital at the age of 49.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 12:30 PM at United Methodist Church in Montevideo with Rev. Sam Kautz officiating.

Visitation with the family will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the church on Saturday.  Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Michael Scott Koenen was born on November 27, 1968 in Montevideo, MN to Harold and Patricia (Waters) Koenen.  He was baptized and confirmed at United Methodist Church.  Mike attended school in Montevideo, and graduated in 1987 from Montevideo High School.

Mike started working at a young age.  His first job was at Highway 7 Homes at the age of 14.  Once he got his driver’s license, he began working at his uncle Kenneth Koenen’s Dairy Farm.  He continued to work there until his uncle retired and his cousins took over the dairy operation (1989).  Mike began working at Gibson Trucking as a truck driver.  In later years he began operating the payloader in the yard of the sugar beet plant in Renville during the sugar beet season.

In 1991, he got engaged to Judy (Buchmann) and they bought a house to start their life together.  May 8, 1993 was a very special day, he married one of his best friends, Judy, at the United Methodist Church.  In 2000 Mike started driving truck for Ken Dahl, part-time at Cenex in Granite Falls, helping out with delivery of fuel and in the shop when needed.  In the fall of 2002 he also started helping part-time at Asbury Farms.  He then helped in the spring and fall for the planting and harvesting of grains.  In 2008, Asbury Farms became Mike’s full-time job.  His dream came true in becoming a full-time farm hand and he loved his job!  Wayne was not only his boss, but a great friend to Mike.

Mike enjoyed motorcycle rides, snowmobiling with friends years back, spending time at the lake fishing or floating, campfires and some late nights, and deer hunting with great friends.  He also enjoyed spending time with Judy, as well as friends and family, and helping others whenever he could (whether he was asked or volunteered).  He was a great husband, son, brother, nephew and uncle.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; uncles; cousins; father in 2007; mother-in-law in 2008; and aunts and uncles through marriage.

Mike is survived by his wife, Judy; mother, Pat of Mankato; sister, Teresa of Mankato; sisters-in-law: Darlene Strommer, Mary Buchmann of Litchfield, and Jean Buchmann of Madison; brothers-in-law: Bruce Buchmann of Watertown, SD, Brad Buchmann of Hayti, SD, and Darwin Buchmann of Montevideo; father-in-law, James Buchmann of Madison; aunts and uncles: Maurice (Audrey) Erickson of Montevideo, Kenneth (Emma) Koenen of Clara City, Shirley Schnell of Tyler, Lois Hage of Hanska, and Harvey (LaRae) Koenen of Maynard; and many cousins; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; two special boys: Donald Jr. and Owen Braaten of Utah; and many close friends.