David Dale Koning, 74, of Monroe, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Dave was born in Sterling, IL on August 8, 1949, the oldest of 8 children born to Willard and Mildred (Longanecker) Koning. He helped on the family farm and enjoyed sports, especially wrestling and football. Dave graduated from Annawan High School in 1967 and was employed by Morton Buildings. He married his high school sweetheart, Rena Detwiler, on October 20, 1968 in Annawan, IL and were married for 55 years.
In 1969, Dave took advantage of an opening within Morton Buildings and relocated to southern Wisconsin. In 1974, with a young family, he graduated from Reisch Auction College and started his career in the auction industry. As a licensed auctioneer in WI and IL, Dave specialized in buying and selling farm equipment. He worked with many area auctioneers and established Koning Auction Service. As Dave and Rena’s four children became involved in 4-H, they began establishing a herd of Angus beef cattle which the family showed throughout the Midwest.
Dave had strong passions for the auction and cattle industries and became heavily involved in the WI Auctioneer’s Association, WI Cattlemen’s Association, Green County Beef Producers, Green and Dane County Fair 4-H/FFA youth auctions and the Green County Cheese auction. Dave and Rena managed the WI Cattlemen’s Steak Trailer for eleven years. Dave humbly accepted accolades for his leadership and volunteer service fostering the success of 4-H and FFA youth. He was an example of hard work and was the first individual to be awarded both the WI Auctioneers Association titles of Ringman of the Year (2007) and WI State Champion Auctioneer (2014). Through these honors Dave was invited to auctioneer at the WI State Fair FFA Foundation Cheese and Cured Meat Products Auctions. In 2022, he was awarded the WI State Fair Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Association’s Friend of the Fair award.
Dave believed in the “conception to consumption” model of breeding, raising and serving high quality beef products to consumers which led him and Rena on several entrepreneurial adventures including Koning Meats and Deli and Koning Maple Lane Event Center. Dave’s dream for Koning Maple Lane Event Center was to provide a gathering space for families and community members to build friendships.
Family was very important to Dave. He especially loved the role of Grandpa and Great Grandpa. He proudly supported his four children and eleven grandchildren by attending their activities and encouraging them to “give 110%” to anything they do.
Dave will always be remembered for his powerful voice from the auction block, his support from the bleachers, his passion for auctions, his never-ending stories, and most of all, his love and pride for his continually growing family.
Survivors include his wife, Rena; children, Matt (Sue) Koning of Amboy, IL, Kris (Curt) Sticha of New Prague, MN, Robin (Matt) Cowden of Mt. Horeb, WI, and Brad (Becky) Koning of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Lea (William) Henert, Cassidy (Kolton) Myrvold, Lane Koning, Erin (Jerod) Novak, Sam Sticha, Sydney, Lydia, and Meredith Cowden, Gillian, Justice and Bentley Koning; great-grandchildren, Wilson and Roy Henert, Brantley Myrvold; siblings, Steve (Judy) Koning, Mark (Karen) Koning, Jim (Mary Ann) Koning, Danny (Lisa) Koning, Kathy (Trey) Barker, and Kevin (Monica) Koning; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Mildred Koning; brother, Joe (Cheri) Koning.
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History of Auctioneering
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The Iowa Auctioneers Association Granted Tax Exempt Status in 2001.
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The Michigan Auctioneers Association Granted Tax Exempt Status in 1998 to represent the interests of auctioneers in Michigan.
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The Washington Auctioneers Association Granted Tax Exempt Status in 2020.
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The Arizona State Auctioneers Association Granted Tax Exempt Status in 2021.
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The Auctioneers Association of Maryland Granted Tax Exempt Status in 1998.
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Georgia Auctioneers Association Inc Granted Tax Exempt Status in 1969 to Educate Georgia Auctioneers.
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The Montana Auctioneer Association Granted Tax Exempt Status in 2020.
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Source: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/81-0375390
The Alabama Auctioneers Association Inc Granted Tax Exempt Status in 1990 to Educate Alabama Auctioneers.
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Daniel R. Ritger “Colonel Dan”
Died unexpectedly on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the age of 62. He was born in West Bend, WI, the son of the late LeRoy and Imelda (Nee Weninger) Ritger. Dan graduated from Slinger High School, and attended Reisch School of Auctioneering in Iowa. At a young age he followed his father’s interest in the cattle business by becoming an auctioneer. He had his first auction at the age of 16 years old and has been an auctioneer for 41 years doing public auctions and selling livestock for Ritger Auction Services, Midwest Livestock Producers, Equity Livestock, and the Milwaukee Stockyard. For the past 25 years Dan has been with Auction Specialists of Stoughton. In 2019 Dan partnered with Rod Drendel to form Ritger Drendel Auction Specialists. Dan also was a member of WI Auctioneer’s Association.
Dan took pride in being involved in his community, volunteering with the Allenton Lions club for many years, serving as a Past President and also on various committees and events. He was a previous member of the Allenton Fire Department and served on the Addison Town Board for several years including being Chairman for a time. He used his auction skills and quick talking for various fund raising events, volunteered at many livestock auctions at local county fairs and announced the Allenton parade for many years. He was also involved with the Washington County Farm Bureau serving hamburgers and ice cream sundaes.
His Catholic faith was very important to him. He was very active at Resurrection Parish (formerly Sacred Heart) where he attended school at an early age and continued his involvement as he grew older. After moving to Kewaskum in recent years, St. Michaels Catholic Church became his new parish home.
Dan is survived by his son, who was his pride and joy, Clyde Ritger; his former wife, who still held a special place in his heart, Rhoda Ritger; his siblings Timothy (Bonnie Johnson), and Cecilia (Russ) Nehm; nieces & nephews Krista (Keith) Ritger, Teresa (Tim) Weiser, Doug (Lavinia) Nehm, and Eric Nehm. He is further survived by aunts, uncles, other relatives, and many friends. Dan was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Gerhard Ritger.
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