Chester Guenther Koennecke of Fredericksburg passed away on March 24, 2017 at the age of 88. Chester was born on May 7, 1928 to Eugene and Amanda Eckhardt Koennecke in Gillespie County. He married Elsie Sagabiel on February 3, 1951 in Crab Apple.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Elsie Koennecke; daughter Jeraldine Pehl and husband Patrick, son Ralph Koennecke and wife Dawn, 5 grandchildren, Daniel Koennecke, Sarah Koennecke, Amanda Burrows and husband Mike, Alex Pehl and wife Chelsea, and Matthew Pehl; 3 great grandchildren, Madison Pehl, Gracie Pehl, Sadie Pehl and 1 step great grandchild Sierra Burrows.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son Charles Koennecke, brother Robert Koennecke and sister, Viola Ottmers.

Chester was a Charter Member of the Gillespie County Farm Bureau, having been a member since 1946 and was named as being one of the top 25 Longest Tenured Members. He also served as President of the organization in the 1960's.

Chester was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, holding various offices in the church council, as well as serving as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He was the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery Coordinator from 1951 to 2006.
Chester loved to fish, hunt and tend his cattle, but especially loved teaching his grandchildren ways of the past.

Visitation will be Sunday March 26, 2017 from 3:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. in the Fredericksburg Funeral Home. Funeral will be Monday March 27, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cave Creek with interment to follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Amanda Burrows, Mike Burrows, Alex Pehl, Matt Pehl, Daniel Koennecke, Sarah Koennecke, Brendon Ottmers.

Memorial may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Organ Fund.