Milton John Konen

Milton J. Konen, 83, passed away on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at Providence St. Mary’s Medical Center, Walla Walla, WA.

He was born on August 21, 1928 in Eldorado, Wisconsin to Mr. & Mrs. W. Frank Konen. He graduated from St. Gertrude’s Academy in Cottonwood, ID and Lewiston Business College. Milton served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He married Lorraine Hattrup at Holy Cross Church, Keuterville, ID in 1952. In 1964 they moved to Moscow, ID where he established Konen Rock Supply. In 1970 the family moved to Toowoomba, Queensland, in Australia where they lived for two years. Upon returning to the U.S. they started a family farm on the south end of Walla Walla. He was a highly-skilled heavy equipment operator and owned a portable rock-crushing plant with which he did contract work throughout the Northwest. He established Konen Rock Products, Inc. and Koncrete Industries, Inc. When he retired in 1996 he and Lorraine travelled extensively world-wide. The most important things in his life were his family and his faith. He had a strong work ethic coupled with a generous heart.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine of 60 years and his eleven children: Tom (Stephanie) Konen, Dayton, WA, Mary (Patrick) Rhoades, Waitsburg, WA,
Chris (Marty) Fazzari, Walla Walla, WA, Gerilyn (Joel) Lengyel, Woodland, WA,
Barbara Hair, Issaquah, WA, Annette Simons (Mark), Spokane, WA, Bob (Susan) Konen, Bradenton, FL, Mike (Ronda) Konen, Marysville, WA, David (Patty) Konen, Walla Walla, Charlie (Cathy) Walla Walla, WA and Laura (Dominic) Lee, Sammamish, WA. He is survived by one sister, Sadona Lute, Kennewick, WA and one brother, Fr. Lyle Konen, C.SS.R., Seattle, WA. He was preceded in death by a sister Esther Ross and a brother James Konen.
He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Viewing & visitation will be held on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 11:00 AM until 4:30 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, Wa. A rosary will be held at Assumption Catholic Church on Monday, May 14th at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Assumption Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 15th at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Catholic Schools or Assumption Catholic Church through the funeral home.