Violet I. “Vi” Koenig

Violet I. “Vi” (Anderson) Koenig, 94, of Plymouth, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, at Whispering Winds in Beatrice. She was born on December 29, 1930, in Diller to Ira and Marie (Behrends) Anderson. She and her three brothers grew up on a farm in the Diller area, often riding horses to school. She loved living in the country and that love never left her. Vi started first grade at the age of four and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1947 at the age of 16. She married Russell Eugene “Gene” O’Keefe and they had two sons, Dennis and Terry. She and Gene divorced in 1976.
Over the years, Vi worked several jobs including Palmer Furniture and Allen Carpet Company, which led to her eventually starting her own business, Vi’s Draperies in Beatrice. She continued this business for many years. Vi married Dr. Duane G. Koenig in 1985. They enjoyed traveling on their own and with the flying club. They visited places all over the country. Their greatest traveling adventures were several trips to the African continent.
Vi was able to return to her country root when she and Duane built their home out in the country. There she was able to indulge her deep love of animals with a menagerie of birds, including a variety of peacocks, ducks, geese, swans, chickens and pigeons. It was rare that the incubator or baby chick box in the house was empty. Their most beloved pet was their dog, Teddy. Vi also absolutely loved flowers and made sure the yard and containers were filled every year. Vi was a very strong woman and very supportive of Duane’s love of volunteering in Tanzania over ten years. She managed to take care of everything at home when he was away.
Vi is survived her sons, Dennis (Sue) O’Keefe of Odessa, Florida and Terry (Fran) O’Keefe of Belton, Missouri; step-children, Duane (Debby) Koenig of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Kandi (Joe) Hawkins of Beatrice, Shari (Joe) Stokey of Lincoln, and Dr. Marc (Kerri) Koenig of Lincoln; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; ten step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren with another due this month. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Duane G. Koenig, who passed on November 4, 2024; parents, Ira and Marie; brothers, Marvin, Keith and Duane Anderson; brother-in-law, Wayne (Pearl) Koenig.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice with Pastor Dan Martin officiating. Burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. Closed casket visitation will be held on Friday from noon until 8:00 P.M. The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Beatrice Humane Society. Arrangements are entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.