The two had become county folk again, and Carol took on the exciting new role of “Lead Cow.”Īfter Buddy threw his hat into the political ring as candidate to become Chairman of the Austin County Republican Party, Carol was his campaign manager, communications director, advertising agent, and all-around support staff. She turned to him, smiled that little smile, and said “That’s OK, the world needs ditch diggers too.” The rest, as they say, is history.Ĭarol&Buddyescaped the big city for “God’s Country” in 1985 when they bought a ranch in the New Bremen Community of Austin County. After a rough day of knocking on doors at the start of Buddy’s insurance career, he came home and told her that he was done and that he would never go back. However, she also knew the value of strong medicine and when to administer it. When Buddy struggled, Carol would give loving encouragement to always keep trying. A very smart cookie, she truly was the woman behind the man. Although surrounded by men, Buddy and her four raucous boys, she had a menacing look that no one could misinterpret.

She was a sweet lady with a strong spine, moored by faith, filled with wisdom, and armed with a strong BS meter. “Buddy” Koenig early in 1958, and the two married later that year on July 4 in Galveston. Born July 12, 1936, she was the youngest of four children to Louise Karcher and Carroll Leon Figueira.Ī 1955 graduate of Jeff Davis High School, she later attended the University of Houston while working at American General Life Insurance Company. Carol Louise Koenig nee Figueira, 86, a longtime resident of New Ulm, TX passed away April 9, 2023, in Pearland.

1958 the cat in the hat comes back