Constance May Koehne

July 14, 1924 - January 8, 2009

Connie M. Koehne, age 84, of Beaver Dam, died on Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Golden Living Center.

The visitation for Connie will be held on Friday, January 16, 2009 at Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM with the Rosary to follow. There will also be a visitation on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at St. Katharine Drexel Maple Ave. Church from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday at the church at 11:00 AM with Fr. Charles Scheuerell officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick”s Cemetery, Town of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin.

The former Constance May Kroeger was born on July 14, 1924 to Paul F. and Stella L. (Banko) Kroeger in Elgin, IL. She started piano lessons at four years old with her father as her teacher, and won a contest at six by playing a Bach piece. At 12, Connie played in her first concert and she played as an accompanist in high school. Connie attended Marycrest College, Davenport, IA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from DePaul University, Chicago, IL. After college, she toured as an accompanist with her brother Richard, a vocalist. Connie presented and played on a Chicago radio show and television show called “Afternoon Interlude”. She became the staff pianist at Mount St. Mary”s On-the-Fox Academy. She also was the first pianist with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and taught at Elgin Academy where she met her husband, Bill. They had two children, Julie and Mark.

In 1965 they moved to Beaver Dam because Wayland Academy offered Bill a teaching position. He taught Spanish and later History, and Connie also taught Spanish. Shortly, her accompanying ability was discovered. She began playing for liturgies throughout the area, especially St. Patrick”s. Connie also resumed teaching private piano lessons until she retired from this in 2004. The number of students she taught, their success at piano, and the relationships she formed with them are legendary.

In 1973 Bill passed away and Connie decided to stay in Beaver Dam. At that time she became chairman of the music department. Connie retired from Wayland in 1991 and continued to play for liturgies, weddings, and funerals well into 2008. She was part of the Oratorio Society for 30 years, served on the board of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony, was the accompanist for Madison”s Baroque Choir for 20 years and the rehearsal accompanist for the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater for over 20 years. Connie was on the Board of Directors with the Green Lake Festival of Music (GLFM), in which she also performed. Upon her retirement from the festival”s board of directors she was voted onto the honorary board. She toured out of the country twice with the GLFM Chamber Choir, once to England in 1995 and Italy in 1997.

Connie received many awards. These included the Beaver Dam Unified School District Wall of Fame Friends of Education award, the GLFM Distinguished Friend of the Festival award, and the Wayland Academy Distinguished Service award. In addition, Connie, a devout catholic and member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, has just helped compile a non-denominational hymn book for the Charleston House in Beaver Dam.

Connie is survived by her son Mark (Kathryn) Koehne, La Crosse, grandchildren, Lauren, Timothy, Stephanie and Gabrielle, brothers and sister, Richard (Kathy) Kroeger, Malta, IL, Dolores (Ed) Stude, Murfreesboro, TN, Tom (Pat) Kroeger, Spring, TX, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Julianne, and a sister, Phyllis Bone.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Connie”s name to St. Katharine Drexel School Endowment Fund/Band Guild, The Academy Fund (Wayland Academy), Green Lake Festival of Music, or for a Mass in Connie”s memory.

The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.MurrayFH.com.

Service Details

Saturday, January 17th, 2009, 11:00am, St. Katharine Drexel Maple Ave. Church-Beaver Dam

Interment Details

St. Patrick’s Cemetery-Beaver Dam

Connie M. Koehne, age 84, of Beaver Dam, died on Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Golden Living Center. The visitation for Connie will be held on Friday, January 16, 2009 at Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM with the Rosary to follow. There will also be a visitation onContinue Reading

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Andy and I were very sorry to hear of Mrs. Koehne''s passing. We both have very fond memories of her at Wayland. Karen Friis Lesko and Andy Lesko

I have such fond memories of Connie when I lived in Beaver Dam during the time she accompanied the B.D. Oratorio Chorus. She was a wonderful woman and musician. Connie was always gracious, kind, and honest. She touched my life in a special way and I will always remember her. My deepest condolences to her family.

Connie was truly one of the most genuine, gentle, kind, and giving person we have had the honor of knowing. She is one person that will be impossible to replace. We will all miss her terribly.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Connie was a very important person for my sons Douglas and David when they attended Wayland. She was their teacher, role model and friend. After they went off on their own, I enjoyed her warm friendship whenever I met her about town. Recently, they described her as "awesome" and I agree. Charlotte Snow

Connie was truly one of the most genuine, gentle, kind, and giving person we have had the honor of knowing. She is one person that will be impossible to replace. We will all miss her terribly.

We have fond memories of Connie from many years of service together on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO). She was a talented musician and truly gracious lady who was committed to providing musical opportunities for young people. And she played a terrific piano at Board social functions!

Connie Koehne was a person who brought joy into the life of everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. She was my piano teacher and she played the organ at my wedding. I loved her. Though her musical talent was an inspiration, it was her personal warmth and generous spirit that were truly special. She cared about and gave of herself to other people without demanding anything in return. Although I lost touch with her in recent years because we live so far away from Beaver Dam, hers has always been -- and will continue to be -- a positive presence in my life. Her family, and the world, have lost a wonderful person, and for that we are sad. For her life, however, we should all remember to be thankful.

Aunt Connie''s smile, words of encouragement and warmth will be greatly missed. I suspect she touched many peoples hearts and lives (as she did our family''s) in ways she never knew. She was always admired and respected but most of all she was deeply loved.

Aunt Connie''s warm smile, caring hug and infectious laugh will truly be missed!

Hello fellow friends and admirers of Connie Koehne! Connie will be missed by so many. It''s hard to imagine the Beaver Dam community without her enthusiasm, passion, love and gift of music. My career as a musician would not have been possible without her support, tutelage, friendship and love. I have had a life filled with wonderful experiences and shared music with countless others because of her. I join you in mourning her passing and rejoice in her life that was here with us and now is with God. Blessings and peace, Nancy Parent

My condolences to the Koehne family. Connie was a great lady who was a great inspiration to all music students she taught. She will be greatly missed.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.