Thomas "Tom" J. Koenig

Thomas "Tom" J. Koenig, 80 year old resident of Randall, MN passed away Monday, September 25, 2023 at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN with Father Jimmy Joseph officiating. Burial will take place in the St. James Parish Cemetery in Randall, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Friday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN and from 10-11 A.M. on Saturday at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN. Caring for Tom and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Tom was born on August 11, 1943 in St. Paul, MN to the late Freddie and Genevieve (Holper) Koenig. Tom graduated from Paynesville Community High School in 1961. He attended St. Cloud State University for one year majoring in art studies where he refined his talents in sculpture, carving and charcoal drawing. He then worked for Oliver Corporation in Minneapolis where he met his wife, Carolyn. With a flair for hospitality, the couple managed Stone Gate Lodge in Paynesville and later Madden’s Pine Edge Inn hotel and restaurants in Little Falls. He was always incredibly proud of his staff at The Pine Edge and worked especially hard so that they would succeed. He later worked at Pap’s Sport Shop also in Little Falls. Always dreaming of owning his own small business, in March of 1976, Tom and Carolyn took over Bermel’s Shoe Store and joined the Randall community. Tom purchased the store after two generations of Bermel's operated it. He knew the history behind the store and wanted to keep it that way. As a reflection of his modesty, in the 30 years he owned the store, he never changed the name. When people walked through the front door, they knew they were someplace special. Customers were greeted with a smile, often by name, and they always came first. Early on in Randall, Tom was a volunteer firefighter and also served as a trustee for St. James Parish. In his free time, he loved taking care of his yard and flowers and hanging bird feeders wherever he found space. Tom was an avid deer hunter with an incredible shot. He enjoyed rebuilding cars, gunsmithing and carving decoys. He was an earnest reader and especially enjoyed studying archeology, history and religion. He provided a wealth of information to his kids and grandkids who never hesitated calling him with questions. Tom is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn (Riesselman) Koenig; children, Timothy (Sandy) Koenig of Randall, Kirsten (Richard) Vosen of Nowthen, and Michelle (Timothy) LeMieur of Deerwood; grandchildren, Cassandra Taylor, Sarah Koenig, Emily Wesselman, Megan (John Paul) Galgano, Noah Vosen, Amelia Vosen, Gabriel Vosen, Luke LeMieur, Arianna LeMieur, Samuel LeMieur, Seth LeMieur; great-grandchild, Thomas Galgano; sister, Nancy (Arthur) Haag; numerous nieces and nephews and many more extended family members and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Genevieve Koenig.

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Thomas "Tom" J. Koenig

August 11, 1943 - September 25, 2023