activity was to play ball which was an every day occurrence when work could be avoided. Another favorite pastime was music. The family was very musical. On winter evenings they would sit around the piano and Milton would chord while his father played the fiddle or harmonica and his brother Verne played the guitar, and they would sing the bluegrass or country music of the day. On summer evenings they would sit outside and Milton and his brother Verne would sing, the sound of which was carried over the fields to the neighbors. Mick and his brothers played baseball with the Castalia Baseball Team in the 1940's. It was at these baseball games where Milton and Gwenn Schultz became acquainted. They were married at the home of her parents in Castalia 17 Nov 1948.

Gwendolyn Rae was born at Iowa City, Johnson Co, IA. Shortly after that she came to live with her parents, George and Esther (Meyer) Schultz and an older sister, Norma Georgene. George and Esther and family were members of the Castalia United Brethren Church. Gwenn was baptized there. Gwenn attended school in the Castalia Public School and Castalia High School for 2 years. At that time the Castalia High School was closed, and Gwenn graduated from Postville High School in 1946. After receiving a Normal Training Certificate, she taught in a rural school near Castalia called the Cross Roads School in the fall of 1946. In the summer of 1947 she took additional teachers training at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, and began teaching at the Oak Hill School that year. After her marriage Gwenn continued teaching for 2 years.

When Milton and Gwenn were married, a small house was built for them on the Koenig farm. In 1952, Milton bought the farm from his parents, and the parents moved to the small house, while Milton and Gwenn moved into the old farm house. The abstract of the farm shows that in 1852 this homestead was owned by a military man named Joseph Bullock. He received this land in Iowa from the U.S. government as payment for his military duty. The land was then purchased by Harvey McClanahan.

In 1884, Wilhelm Koenig, Milton’s grandfather purchased this land from Harvey McClanahan and moved his family to this farm. Milton’s father was born on this farm. The farm became a Winneshiek Co Century Farm in 1984, having been in the same family for over 100 years. At the present time it is owned by Laurice Koenig Schultz and her husband Daryl Schultz. Laurice is a daughter of Milton and Gwenn.

Milton and Gwenn had 4 children: Suzanne Merry born at Decorah, IA. She attended school in Postville, and received Nurses Training at NIACC in Mason City, IA, and Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids, IA. She is presently employed as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She married Keith Muller 20 Mar 1982. They have two sons, Ryan and Casey. Keith is employed at Source Data as a Program Management Administrator. Their home is in Cedar Rapids.

Melissa Gav was born at Decorah. She graduated from Postville High School and received training as a Hospital Lab Assistant. She married Neil Hammersland in 1974. They were divorced. Their children are Shanna and Lisa. Melissa worked at the West Union Hospital and at the Postville Hospital until it closed. Melissa then attended Northeast Iowa Community College at Calmar, IA and received a degree in Business. She is now the City Clerk in Postville.

Laurice Jov was born at Decorah. She graduated from Postville High School. On 16 Mar 1974 she married Daryl Schultz. They are farming northeast of Postville and on the Koenig home farm, Section 23, Bloomfield Twp. They are the parents of Blake, Kari and Kirstin. They live near Postville in Allamakee Co.

Kvle Nathan born in Postville. He attended school in Postville. After graduation he attended college for a short time at Rockford, IL. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps and was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, NE for 9 years. He married Kristine Siders 30 Jul 1994 in Omaha. Kyle is employed at a computer company in Minneapolis, MN. Kristine is employed at a child care center. They live in Bloomington, MN.

Milton and Gwenn were active members of Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. They were charter members of the Bloomfield Historical Society, the Winneshiek Historical Society, and the Decorah Genealogy Association. Milton served for many years on the Bloomfield Twp Cemetery Association Board and as a Bloomfield Twp Trustee.

Milton Koenig died 12 Nov 1993 at Lutheran Hospital LaCrosse, Wl due to complications following heart surgery. He is buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery near Castalia.

Koenig, Orville and Irene (Bachelder)

(Irene Koenig)

Orville Koenig was born at home in Bloomfield Twp, the son of William and Emma (Schroeder) Koenig. Orville attended the rural school known as Oak Hill which was near his home. He helped with the farming. He entered the military service 8 May 1942 and served in the 8th U.S. Air Force as a radio operator in London, England. Orville was discharged 19 Dec 1945 and returned to farm with his dad.

Orville married Irene Bachelder 2 Sep 1947. Irene was the daughter of Earl and Hattie (Brandt) Bachelder.

Orville and Irene purchased a farm in Bloomfield Twp, Section 23 where they continued to live. They own another farm in Section 23 where their son Gale lives. Irene has been a homemaker and also helps with the farming.

They are the parents of 5 children: Sally married Patrick Conway 19 Apr 1969. Sally and Pat are the parents of 5 children: Scott; Brian; Todd; Sara and Kristi.  They live on a farm near Castalia, IA. Mark (b. 27 Mar 1949) was killed in a train/tractor accident 24 Mar 1967. He is buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia. Reid married Marsha Gunderson 30 May 1975. Reid works at Century at Waverly, IA. Marsha is a school teacher in Waverly. They have 3 daughters: Anne