Death of Alice Koenecke

For those who attended Southern Illinois University between 1965 and 1969, you will remember Dr. Koenecke, Thanks to Martha Speir for sharing this information.

Alice Pixley Koenecke died April 8th in Murray, KY at the age of 85.

Alice Pixley Koenecke moved to Murray, Kentucky in 1960 with her son, Bill and began teaching in the Home Economics Department at Murray State University.

She was the third child born on January 3, 1926 to W. Ray and Pauline Shearer Pixley who were dairy farmers in Wabash County, Illinois. Her siblings were Victor, Clara, Bertha, Frank and Lorene. Bertha Madison, Highland Park, Michigan and Frank Pixley, West Salem, Illinois survive.

She married Henry C. Koenecke, son of Harlan and Myrtle Brown Koenecke on September 10, 1944. After her husband’s death in 1954, she began her college career earning a B.S. Degree from Eastern Illinois University and an M.S. Degree from the University of Illinois.In 1965, she left Murray to move to Carbondale, Illinois where she began work on the Ph. D.

Her son, Dr. William H. Koenecke was married in 1966 to Marcia Burpoe Koenecke, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. R.J.Burpoe, Murray. Grandchildren are Lynne Koenecke Whitley (Clif), Grayson, Georgia, Lori Koenecke Immke (Mark), Bloomington, Illinois and William H. (B.J.) Koenecke, Jr. (Heather), Murray. Great-grandchildren are Austin, John, Lauren and Tyler Whitley; Andrew, Joshua and Rachel Immke and Micah Koenecke.

In 1969, Alice Koenecke returned to Murray State University as chair of the Home Economics department where she remained as a faculty member until her retirement in 1988. During her professional years, she served as the elected president of two national organizations, Kappa Omicron Phi, Honor Society in Home Economics and the Administrator of Home Economics. She was a student member and faculty sponsor of Kappa Omicron Phi at two universities. She belonged to Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Phi Sigma Delta Epsilon, A.A.U.W. And Delta Kappa Gamma.

She served as president of the Kentucky Home Economics Association. Dr. Koenecke was a quilter, an active member of First United Methodist Church where she spent many years singing in the chancel choir. She was a member of the Christian Adult and Friendship-Gleaners Sunday School Classes. She was a member of the Wesleyan Circle of the United Methodist Women. She belonged to the Alpha and Delta Departments of the Murray Federated Woman’s Club and she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and the Magazine Club.

At the time of her retirement, family, friends and former students established a named scholarship in her honor. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Dr. Alice Koenecke Nutrition/Dietetics Scholarship, Murray State University, Office of Development, 106 Development Center, Murray, KY 42071-3313.

Memorial Service was held Sunday, April 10th  at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with Jim Stahler and Rev. Bob Saywell officiating. Members of United Methodist Women, Christian Adult and Friendship-Gleaners Sunday School Classes, Quilters, Magazine Club, Woman’s Club, Alpha Gamma Delta and any former students and faculty will serve as honorary pallbearers. Visitation began at 1 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in the Moravian Cemetery in West Salem, Illinois. BLALOCK-COLEMAN & YORK FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences: www.yorkfuneralhome.com