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Joseph Koenigsman • 1933 - 2010 Joseph J. Koenigsman was born August 26, 1933, a son of Alphonse and Agnes (Mason) Koenigsman, in New York, New York. He was raised and educated in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Joe enlisted in the United States Army in 1950. He proudly served his country during the Korean War and was discharged in 1953. Joe then reenlisted in the United States Air Force December 2, 1955. He again served his country during another war, the Vietnam War. His specialty was in disaster preparedness, and he was awarded the following medals: the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. After a combined total of 23 years of service to his country, he was honorably discharged March 31, 1973, as a Master Sergeant. Joe married Lila M. Breiland January 17, 1962, in Minot. After living in Missouri, Germany, and New Mexico, they made their home in Minot. Following his honorable discharge, Joe attended Minot State University for a few years. In 1975, he started working part-time for Job Service of North Dakota. He later accepted a full-time position in Bismarck, North Dakota where he served as a monitor advocate for veterans, the handicapped, and migrant workers. He continued working for Job Service until he retired in 1995. Joe was a member of the American Legion Post #26 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 753. He was also active in the Democratic Party and was a strong union supporter. Joe was an avid reader; he also enjoyed writing stories, poems and ballads. He was especially interested in history, politics, and computers. An intelligent, strong-willed individual, Joe loved to talk and tell stories. He was an animated person who had a big heart. Surviving family includes: wife of 48 years, Lila, Minot; son, Alphonse Koenigsman, Minot; daughters, Lisa Koenigsman (Jim Straight), Minot, and Sandra Ingram, Minot; grandson, Chale Straight; sister, Elizabeth Reilly, Fort Lauderdale, FL; brothers-in-law, Eugene (Judy) Breiland, Minot, Melvin Breiland, Apple Valley, MN, and Donald Breiland, St. Louis, MO; and numerous nieces, and nephews. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Koenigsman, sisters, Ella Hampal, and Agnes O’Connor; and brother-in-laws, Jerry Breiland and Tom Reilly. Funeral: Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.
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Joseph Koenigsman, 77, Minot, ND, died Thursday, October 28, 2010, in a Minot nursing home.