Mark T. Koenig

Mark Theodore Koenig, 71, Carson, ND, passed away on May 8, 2024, with all of his kids by his side.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM MST on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Grant County Fair Building in Carson, ND, with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be in the Carson Community Cemetery.

A Prayer Service will begin at 6 PM MST on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Grant County Fair Building in Carson, ND.

Mark blessed Ted and Tecla (Deichert) Koenig with his presence on November 4, 1952. He grew up south of Carson, graduating in 1971, and knew he was meant to farm and ranch. In 1973, he married Eileen Woodbury and they were blessed with six kids during their time together. This was the start of the lifelong bond between the Koenig’s and Woodbury’s. Mark spent a few years living north of Morristown, before making his way back to the Koenig home place in 1978.  

Mark was not scared of hard work. Sometimes he may have even worked harder than smarter, and the kids would try to slow him down a bit, with the key word being “try”. In 2015, he semi-retired by getting out of livestock but continuing to farm. He raised a lot of crops, but corn was his passion. This guy could farm and loved every minute as he was usually the first guy planting in Grant County.  On a hot humid day, he would drive by his corn, smile, and say, “It must have grew a foot today. You can see it grow!”  Mark loved to combine a good corn crop and hated having to get out of the combine to drive truck!  

Next to raising his kids, his favorite job was being grandpa. He enjoyed watching them play sports and built wooden barns, feedlots, and toy boxes for them. The kids and grandkids each have a special bond with him and will miss their daily phone calls and special birthday songs. In 2010, Mark met Sharon Johnson and together they made many memories doing the simple things a person should do to enjoy life.   He wasn’t much of a traveler, but made time for his family and this made for some memorable adventures.

Next to his family, one sure thing that could get him to shut down the machinery early was his Tuesday Night Cards. He was a card shark and loved a good game. Mark had quite a poker face and was never scared to go “All-In”. There were several trips to the casino, and you knew when he lost when he said “I hate that place.” He talked often of all the snowmobiles he had owned and wrecked, along with numerous snowmobiling trips.

Sharky was his main handle, but he was often referred to as Mr. Safety (for obvious reasons) and Tim the Tool Man. Mark was a wild card in more than one way and if you knew him, you are sure to have a “Sharky” story to tell. A recent story is when he bought a 2024 Mustang car and named it Trigger, as that was the name of Roy Rogers' horse. He showed and taught his kids that you can “fix” anything with whatever you had available to work with. He has a special name for this which we won’t mention, and would smile when his kids would say “My dad taught me how to “fix” anything!” 

He raised his family right, instilling a good work ethic and was so proud to watch each one of them work hard and succeed. They all have a little bit of Sharky in them, and his legacy will live on forever.  As the Shark would say, “okie-dokie, gotta go, bye.” 

Mark is survived by his biggest fans, Spence & Sarah Koenig, Aliyah & Anthony Leingang, Mandan ND; Holly Koenig, Kody & Dylan, Mandan ND; Laci & Chris Meyer, Blu, Selfridge ND; Timbere & Brett Zenker, Taylor, Paige, Leighton, & Harper, Carson ND; Jake & Kelli Koenig, Jaycee, Kinsey, & Karter, Carson, ND; Special Friend, Sharon Johnson, Flasher ND; sisters, Linda (Ken), Theresa (Ward), Carol (Bob), Connie (Bruce); brothers-in-law, Lloyd (Joan), Loren (Sandy), and Russell (Colette); along with several nieces and nephews.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore (Ted) & Tecla; infant son, Matthew Frank; granddaughter, Coley K. Meyer; siblings, James & Jeanette; mother of his children, Eileen Koenig; and her parents, William (Billy) & Dorothy Woodbury.

Memorial cards can be mailed to Jake Koenig, 8775 56^th Ave SW, Carson, ND 58529.