Melvin Coenen
August 11, 1922 — April 16, 2016
Melvin Coenen was born August 11, 1922 to Godfrey and Agnes (Micalski) Coenen in Westphalia Township. He attended St. Boniface Catholic school, graduating from high school in 1940.
Melvin was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie Schechinger on October 14, 1943 at the St. Boniface Church at Westphalia. There were six children born to this union: Dennis, Gailain, Constance, Carol, Michael, and Robert. They farmed in various counties in Iowa. Melvin also worked at Western Engineering, was a manager of the water plant in Bayard, Iowa. As a young boy, working out in the field on the family farm, Melvin suffered a severe heat stroke. He succumbed to another one while working for Western Engineering, falling from a railroad car, suffering a back injury that was to plague him the rest of his life.
Melvin was an avid sports fan, having a special love for baseball and basketball, having played both in his youth. Melvin also loved to sing, and was a choir member of the St. Boniface Choir during his school years, and a member of the late Father Duren’s band in high school.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife Evelyn; brother Elroy; sisters Madeline Schomer, Eileen Schmitz and Rita Schulte; grandchild Carrie.
Melvin is survived by his children Dennis Coenen and his wife Amy of Harlan, Iowa; Gail Coenen and his wife Gina of Grimes, Iowa; Connie and her husband Tom Hansen of Harlan; Carol and her husband Tom Gaul of McClausland, Iowa; Mike Coenen and his wife Cindy of Ankeny, Iowa; Bob Coenen and his wife Deidre of Bouton, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brothers Clarence Coenen and his friend Sharon Donlin of Harlan, Iowa; Virgil Coenen and his wife MaryAnn of Earling, Iowa; sister Janice (Jan) Rau of Harlan, Iowa; and other family members and friends.
Melvin was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie Schechinger on October 14, 1943 at the St. Boniface Church at Westphalia. There were six children born to this union: Dennis, Gailain, Constance, Carol, Michael, and Robert. They farmed in various counties in Iowa. Melvin also worked at Western Engineering, was a manager of the water plant in Bayard, Iowa. As a young boy, working out in the field on the family farm, Melvin suffered a severe heat stroke. He succumbed to another one while working for Western Engineering, falling from a railroad car, suffering a back injury that was to plague him the rest of his life.
Melvin was an avid sports fan, having a special love for baseball and basketball, having played both in his youth. Melvin also loved to sing, and was a choir member of the St. Boniface Choir during his school years, and a member of the late Father Duren’s band in high school.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife Evelyn; brother Elroy; sisters Madeline Schomer, Eileen Schmitz and Rita Schulte; grandchild Carrie.
Melvin is survived by his children Dennis Coenen and his wife Amy of Harlan, Iowa; Gail Coenen and his wife Gina of Grimes, Iowa; Connie and her husband Tom Hansen of Harlan; Carol and her husband Tom Gaul of McClausland, Iowa; Mike Coenen and his wife Cindy of Ankeny, Iowa; Bob Coenen and his wife Deidre of Bouton, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brothers Clarence Coenen and his friend Sharon Donlin of Harlan, Iowa; Virgil Coenen and his wife MaryAnn of Earling, Iowa; sister Janice (Jan) Rau of Harlan, Iowa; and other family members and friends.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin Coenen, please visit our flower store.