Marlene Koenig Obituary

MARLENE DEELLA KOENIG
April 7, 1936 - August 21, 2011

Marlene was released from the hospital after battling pneumonia but couldn't regain her strength. She was born in Bowbells, ND to Elmer and Kathryn Knudson.
Her father was a stationmaster for the Great Northern Railroad so the family made numerous moves. Marlene graduated from Tagus High School in a class of two. She spent two years at Minot University and then taught two years in Bowbells. She taught in Minot for two years and 1960-61 in Tillimook, OR. She returned to Minot for two years and half a year in Helena. In 1964 she took classes at the University of Montana in Missoula and graduated in 1966 and became a teacher in the Department of Defense Schools at Bad Kreutznach, Germany. In 1970 she transferred to Woodbridge American Elementary School in England where she received a Master's degree in Counseling from Ball State. She also earned her pilot's license.
From 1973 to 1976 Marlene had her first administrative assignment at the Augsburg American School. Marlene fell in love with the outdoor education program at the Hinterbrand lodge in Berchtesgaden and taught there from 1976 to 1979 when she took a year of educational leave to study. She was in the area of Mt. Saint Helen's when it erupted. She said she took many outstanding pictures but was very disappointed when the camera shop owner told her there was no film in the camera.
She returned to outdoor education in 1980 but her career there ended when she injured her back and required surgery.
She stayed in Berchtesgaden as a teacher for Milt Foreman from 1982-1983.
Superintendent Frank Alt asked Marlene to be an assistant principal at the Ansbach American School from 1983 to 1984.
Marlene was the principal of the Hessisch Oldendorf American Elementary School from 1984 to 1991 and supervised the construction of a new school building. Her final assignment in Europe was at Sembach American Elementary School from 1991 to 1992 when she retired.
She settled in Kalispell, MT and served one year as the top administrator of the Smith Valley Elementary School District. In 2000 she moved to Vancouver, WA and married Elmer Koenig in 2003. They enjoyed traveling in their RV and spent winters in California and Arizona until she developed Lymphoma twice and survived. Though weakened by this condition she maintained a positive attitude and tried to help others.
She believed that students might forget what she taught them but they would never forget how she treated them.
At her many assignments Marlene made many lifelong friends. She tried to call each one on their birthdays and other special occasions.
Marlene was a member of the Sierra Club and a past president of the Vancouver chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
She is survived by her husband, Elmer "Hank" Koenig; her grandchildren, Martin Koenig, Dennis Koenig, Alexander Koenig, Elizabeth Crawford, Carolyn Crawford and Anneliese Koenig; her cousin, Margaret (Maggie) Overby; and her grand-niece, Cassondra (Cassie) Nordtome.
Burial will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.
Please sign Marlene's guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.