Lauretta Koenigseder
d. May 24, 2019
Lauretta Koenigseder
Lauretta Ann Bruning Koenigseder, 71, of Little Rock went to be with her Lord on Friday, May 24, 2019. Born to Roy and Alta Bruning in Covington, Kentucky on July 31, 1947, she was the oldest of eight children and leader of the pack of siblings who adored her. Lauretta was married for 42 years to Steve Koenigseder, the love of her life.
Lauretta possessed an immense desire to learn. After graduating from Sylvan Hills High School in 1966, she attended Ouachita Baptist University and then received her B.S. and M.S. in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas. She proudly completed a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Texas in 1991 and continued her education at UCA while teaching nursing students (including her baby sister) for 37 years. On the verge of turning 40, Lauretta asked herself, "What haven't I done that I always wanted to do?" and realized she always wanted to be in the Navy. She forged ahead and celebrated her 40th birthday in officer's training in Newport, RI and ultimately held the rank of Captain in the Little Rock Navy Reserve.
At the age of 12, Lauretta sustained severe burns during a house fire and was hospitalized for several months. In 1991, she was diagnosed with scleroderma, a life altering disease. Determined not to be sidelined by these issues, she stayed active and lived a full, productive life. Each year she trained and was able to pass the U.S. military physical exam until her retirement.
Lauretta and Steve enjoyed ballroom dancing, snow skiing, and extensive travel, making lifelong friends along the way. She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock, where she helped organize and lead the Grief Support Group.
Lauretta was the best daughter, wife, sister, sister-in-law, and greatest Aunt Moonbeam a niece or nephew could ask for. Whether she was sponsoring the Little League Moonbeam Bombers, or serving as Mrs. Santa Claus, she was totally involved and loved by all her family. Lauretta embraced life and was truly a remarkable woman.
Lauretta is survived by her husband, Steve, the Bruning brothers, Ed (Sue); David (Jacki); Darrell (Debbie); Daniel; and Donald, and sisters, Carolyn Tracy (Bill) and Diane Brown (Mark). She was an aunt to 18 nieces and nephews and great aunt to 19.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. Laura Trigg and Dr. Angela Driskill for their excellent care and support of Lauretta throughout most of her adult life.
A visitation with Rosary is scheduled on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock, and funeral services will be held Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial services will be Friday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in Sherwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Lauretta's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
4000 N. Rodney Parham
Little Rock, AR, 72212
4000 N. Rodney Parham
Little Rock, AR, 72212
1501 W. Maryland Avenue
North Little Rock, AR, 72120
Lauretta possessed an immense desire to learn. After graduating from Sylvan Hills High School in 1966, she attended Ouachita Baptist University and then received her B.S. and M.S. in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas. She proudly completed a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Texas in 1991 and continued her education at UCA while teaching nursing students (including her baby sister) for 37 years. On the verge of turning 40, Lauretta asked herself, "What haven't I done that I always wanted to do?" and realized she always wanted to be in the Navy. She forged ahead and celebrated her 40th birthday in officer's training in Newport, RI and ultimately held the rank of Captain in the Little Rock Navy Reserve.
At the age of 12, Lauretta sustained severe burns during a house fire and was hospitalized for several months. In 1991, she was diagnosed with scleroderma, a life altering disease. Determined not to be sidelined by these issues, she stayed active and lived a full, productive life. Each year she trained and was able to pass the U.S. military physical exam until her retirement.
Lauretta and Steve enjoyed ballroom dancing, snow skiing, and extensive travel, making lifelong friends along the way. She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock, where she helped organize and lead the Grief Support Group.
Lauretta was the best daughter, wife, sister, sister-in-law, and greatest Aunt Moonbeam a niece or nephew could ask for. Whether she was sponsoring the Little League Moonbeam Bombers, or serving as Mrs. Santa Claus, she was totally involved and loved by all her family. Lauretta embraced life and was truly a remarkable woman.
Lauretta is survived by her husband, Steve, the Bruning brothers, Ed (Sue); David (Jacki); Darrell (Debbie); Daniel; and Donald, and sisters, Carolyn Tracy (Bill) and Diane Brown (Mark). She was an aunt to 18 nieces and nephews and great aunt to 19.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. Laura Trigg and Dr. Angela Driskill for their excellent care and support of Lauretta throughout most of her adult life.
A visitation with Rosary is scheduled on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock, and funeral services will be held Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial services will be Friday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in Sherwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Lauretta's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
MAY 29. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)
Christ the King Catholic Church4000 N. Rodney Parham
Little Rock, AR, 72212
Funeral Mass
MAY 30. 10:00 AM (CDT)
Christ the King Catholic Church4000 N. Rodney Parham
Little Rock, AR, 72212
Burial
MAY 31. 10:00 AM (CDT)
Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery1501 W. Maryland Avenue
North Little Rock, AR, 72120
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