Beulah "Bea" Koenings

Beulah 'Bea' Koenings, 91, longtime resident of Austin passed away peacefully at her Brookdale Assisted Living residence early Saturday morning, August 15th. Bea was the first of the twins born on September 25, 1923 to Arnold and Susie Warden of Burnet, TX and it was there, on the Warden Ranch, that she found her love of nature and understanding of the value of a hard day's work. She stayed and worked on the land until she graduated from Burnet High School in May 1940 and then moved to Austin to continue her education at Durham's Business College. It was during a USO dance at Bergstrom Air Force Base that she met a young lad from Wisconsin, Arthur T. Koenings, and they married in 1942. She remained in Austin, while Art was stationed overseas, and worked for Gracy Title Company. When Art returned from the service they decided that Austin would be the place to call home and raise a family. Arthur Jr., her only child, was born in 1949 and Bea left the work force to stay at home to raise her son until he began school. At that point she went back to work with the Texas State Department. of Highways and Public Transportation from which she retired in May 1987 as a supervisor in the Title Division. After she lost her husband to cancer she began to volunteer at Seton Hospital on 38th street and continued for almost 20 years.

Bea converted to the Catholic religion when she married Art and belonged to and served the St. Austin Parish for over sixty years. She loved to travel with her family and friends on summer vacations, trips to Europe and countless cruises. Bea was a beautiful woman, inside and out, who loved her life and lived it to its fullest. She did her best to teach her son and grandchildren to follow her faith, show respect for others and to enjoy life to the fullest.

She is survived by her twin sister, Eula Weber of Chicago, brothers, A.W. and Ken Warden of Burnet, special companion and friend, Alvin Cloer, son, Art, Jr. and wife Tammy Koenings of Austin and her cherished grandchildren, Michele Pierpoint, Tres and wife Jamie Koenings, Trent and wife Ashley Koenings, Haley Haught, all of Austin, and Kristen Haught of Seattle and six great-grandchildren, MacKenzie Pierpoint, Hunter Pierpoint, Kearis Koenings, Phoenix Koenings, Tilden Koenings and Bennett Koenings.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Susie Warden, husband, Arthur Koenings, Sr., sister, Mildred Savage and daughter-in-law, Lynda Koenings.

A viewing and Catholic service will be held at the Assumption Cemetery – Chapel & Mausoleum on Saturday, August 22nd, beginning at 10AM, with a reception to follow at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 2620 S. Congress.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Brookdale – Lakeway, especially Gabby, all of whom were kind, gentle and helpful during her stay there.