Michael Arnold Koeneman

Michael Arnold Koeneman was born June 26, 1962, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Lawrence and Alice Koeneman. He passed away of natural causes on Nov. 7, 2015.

Mike graduated Wasilla High School, class of 1980, and was an all-star varsity letterman in track, baseball, football and basketball. Both his football jersey (12) and basketball jersey (21) were retired by WHS in his senior year. Mike was an incredible artist, a talented musician and an avid football fan (Go Packers!).

Mike lived in Palmer, Alaska, from 1974-76, and then moved to the family homestead in Wasilla in 1976. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1980, and served his country at 29 Palms, Okinawa and Camp Lejeune. After the Marine Corps, he attended the Western Culinary Institute, where he met his wife, Kathleen, of 26 years. He was the head chef on an oil platform in the Cook Inlet from 1989 to 1999, before joining the Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer in 1999.

Mike could likely be found in the garage working on his motorcycle, drinking beer and listening to NPR. His family remembers him as being loyal, sincere, hardworking, kind, funny and a personality that could fill a room.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Koeneman, and their children, Margaret, Erik and John; mother, Alice Koeneman; brother, Mark Koeneman; sister, Christine Triplett (Robert); Aunt Berti Zweifel and Uncle Hans Zweifel; nieces, Brittany Johnson (Benjamin); great-nieces Amelia Johnson, Lisa and Lori Koeneman; nephews, Karl, Hans, Neal and Leif Koeneman.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Koeneman.

The celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 17, at the Elks Lodge in Palmer, 2600 N Barry’s Resort Drive. For those attending, please feel free to bring your favorite dish to share.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alaska Public Media in memory of Michael Koeneman. Donations can be made directly on the Alaska Public Media website at www.alaskapublic.org.

Arrangements were under the direction of Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel.