Judy Arlene Koenen

Judy Koenen, age 90, of Mankato, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Celebration of Judy’s life will be held at 11am, Saturday, January 18, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato with visitation starting at 9:30am. Following the service, food and fellowship will be held in the lower level of church. Burial will follow at Tivoli Cemetery for those who wish to attend. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to Judy’s favorite charitable organizations, such as ECHO Food Shelf, Connections Shelter, or VINE Faith in Action.

Judy was born at home near Kesley, IA to parents Edward and Magdalene (Harms) Krull on October 1, 1934.

She was a farm girl, attended country school for 8 years and graduated from high school in Aplington, IA. She married her high school classmate, Wayne Koenen, in 1955, and they were married for 59 years. Their first year of marriage began in Pella, IA while Wayne finished his undergraduate studies at Central College. From there, they moved six times while Wayne taught at many different schools and finished his graduate degree at the University of Iowa while teaching full-time. In 1968, Judy and Wayne moved to Mankato.

Judy was employed at the University Bookstore at MSU for 24 years. After that employment, she wasn’t ready to retire, and she found her very favorite employment at Green Thumb Garden Center. She retired from there in 2017 after 23 years.

She served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian Church for many years.

Judy loved family camping trips, trips to Dodgers baseball games, trips to Alaska, and bridge games. She talked so many times about her friendships: her bridge friends, coffee friends, wonderful neighbors, Arizona friends, BSF church families, and love of Wayne and her extended families, plus blessings in abundance.

Left to remember her are three loving sons and their families, son, Brent (Ellen) of Eagle River, AK, Curt (Pam) of Mankato, MN, and Bruce (Wendy) of South Haven, MN; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Mavis (Darwin) Kampman of Aplington, IA; brother, Eldon (Frances) Krull of Kesley, IA; and many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Magdalene Krull; husband, Wayne Koenen in February 2014; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Walter Lupkes; and many other extended family members.