Paul Herman Konig was born on June 28, 1931, in Wisner, Nebraska to Pastor Karl and Frieda (Goede) Konig.  He grew up with siblings Karl, Frieda, and Elsa.  Paul graduated from Yutan High School, Midland Lutheran College, and Central Seminary.  Following his graduation from seminary he studied a year at Divinity School, New College, of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Paul married Marcella Schact on July 31, 1963, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Nebraska. During his working years Paul served as pastor of several ELCA churches in Nebraska including Bellevue, Osceola, Omaha, Sidney, Cordova, and Emerson until his retirement in 1990. At that time Paul and Marcella moved to the forever home they had built in southwest Lincoln, Nebraska.

Paul passed away at Bryan Health hospital in Lincoln on March 17, 2022.  Paul is survived by his sister Elsa Heald and her husband Ray of Los Altos, California and Marcella’s sister Carolyn Henry and her husband Robert of Maryville, Missouri.

Paul was a lover of nature which made Colorado very popular with him. Their Colorado cabin always held a special place in his heart even years after they sold it. Paul found beauty in things not as majestic as the Rocky Mountains too – a simple flower in their yard or the bird or squirrel that he so faithfully fed on his deck (Yes, he fed squirrels).  He spoke fondly of a dachshund named Snoopy and a collie named Heather that were an important part of his life.

Paul’s love of nature is probably what drew him to hiking.  Having that cabin in Colorado to hike around was a highlight of his life.  He and Marcella made the right decision to build a house that had a massive trail system behind it.  One couldn’t begin to guess how many hours he walked those trails during his retirement years.

Paul was an avid reader, as was evident from his massive book collection.   If something interested him, he bought a book about it.   He was a talented writer, whether he was writing a fictional story, a sermon or a poem or love letter to Marcella.

Speaking of Marcella, she was the love of his life.  They did everything together, including traveling in campers across the country.  She put up with his corny jokes.  He claims he didn’t have to put up with anything from her.  After Marcella’s death in June 2021, Paul would often say, “Good ole, Marcella. She was a good egg!”

All that knew or spent even a little time with Paul could say he was also “a good egg.”  He was a genuinely kind person.  He always smiled, loved to laugh, had a great sense of humor, and cared for others deeply.

Now those two “good eggs” are back together eternally. St. Patrick’s Day 2022 was an especially lucky day for them both.

Paul was cremated and will be inurned with Marcella at the Osage Cemetery in Cook, Nebraska. At his request, there will be no services.

Honoring Paul could mean taking a walk in nature and really soaking it all in, smiling even when things are hard, appreciating a good joke. Paul and Marcella supported many different organizations, so a charitable fund with Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) has been established.   Donations can be made payable to LCF at 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508, with instructions to deposit to the Konig’s fund.

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